The week of Work

I was able to run three mornings this week, working on gradually increasing my distance. So far my knee has cooperated. I probably need to have it looked at, but am reluctant since I may not like what they say! Not the best health response I know.

Tuesday I had a dental appointment for regular cleaning and tune up. All is good for another six months. Then on Thursday I saw the dermatologist so he could 'scrap and burn' a spot on my face near my left ear. It was not malignant, but had the possibility to become such. Both offices employed the same health precautions: wear a mask, met at the door, temperature taken, hand sanitizer used.

Wednesday I took a break from working to help a church couple with a ceiling fan installation. They are a little older than me, but his eye sight is so bad, he can't see well enough to attach the screws with any success; oh, and he continues to drive! This is the guy that for 30 years was out helping others, splitting firewood for them, showing up for service projects, helping them move in or out of the area. And now, he can't do any of that and it is difficult for him to ask for help.

The major focus of this week, as has been for the previous two weeks: get this rental house ready to rent again, and soon. And I can finally see some light at the end of a very long tunnel. It is anticipated that I will be done before this week is over.  I spent two full days sanding the living room and one bedroom floor; my knees were ready to go on strike and my back was seconding that demand. So I said enough is enough. Any existing blemishes will just give the floor character.  So tomorrow I will put on a couple of coats of polyurethane and that deed will be done. The plumber came out after I got the tub surround tiled to reconnect the plumbing; while there he discovered that the drain was severely clogged. He had to crawl back under the house and cut the galvanized p-trap to get all the hair cleaned out of the line. Here are some photos of my bath progress:

And the living room floor being sanded:

The bedroom floor is finished!

Things learned this week from local community businessmen:  

    Kelly at the local appliance store shared that appliance manufacturers have trouble obtaining the necessary parts to build their appliances because their suppliers don't have the parts in stock due to the virus. He indicated there is a definite shortage of appliances which has driven prices up. No good deals or sales. Yet in spite of all this, he stated that his business had its best June sales in 47 years, followed by a very profitable July. New home construction has slowed, but people are renovating or remodeling and they are the ones making the purchases. Kelly also remarked that the local new car dealerships have a diminishing inventory - you can tell by they way they park the remaining vehicles in their lots to take up more space.

    Fred from the local tool rental business said home owners were creating most of his business instead of the home builders. Lots of do it yourself projects going on. 

    Chad is a small family owned home builder who also does remodels, is far behind in his work. He can't keep up with the demand for his skills.

    Eric is the manager for the local distribution in our area of a major milk company. They supply milk products to local stores, gas stations, schools, etc. The schools normally maintain a two day supply for the students. Some are concerned that they will get an order in one day, only to have the schools shut down due to the virus. Their major concern this is financial; we paid for something we can't use. Last spring when this happened, the Mountain Home school district gave their food to the local food bank.

Here is a thought from Tad Callister: The Savior's Atonement can be looked at as a series of divine events, that were motivated by an incomprehensible love for each of us. It required a being who was sinless; who had infinite power over the elements—even death; who possessed a boundless capacity to suffer the consequences of all our sins and ailments; and who, in fact, descended beneath it all. This was the mission of Jesus Christ—this was His Atonement. The Atonement of Christ overcame four obstacles: physical death, spiritual death, afflictions and infirmities, weaknesses and imperfections. Without the sacrifice of the Savior, a perfect being with infinite power, there could not be a balance between justice and mercy for the children of God. The Atonement of Christ is like a merciful, spiritual parachute, given to counteract the law of justice which, like gravity against a falling individual, would pull all humankind to an exacting and unforgiving end. Because of His Atonement, the Savior has enabling powers, sometimes referred to as grace, that can help us overcome our weaknesses and imperfections and thus assist us in our pursuit to become more like Him. Christ’s enabling powers can refine—even perfect—us.