Still there

Tonight, 11 pm, entered the vampire bug chamber and flashed on the lights. One adult size bed bug was cruising around on the mattress. I shuddered in horror, searched for and found poison spray, zapped it, and retreated. Here we go again.

I'm getting more and more comfy in my little private bedroom. I need to move in a bedside table and reading lamp and put up curtains.

Yesterday and today the yard cleanup crew was here. The head-high forest of gnarly weeds is gone from the lawnless east side of the house. The citrus trees have had their skirts raised and the thriving baby palm trees and Russian sumacs and gargantuan weeds torn from their shade. The bermuda grass has been razed and the rotten fruit scooped up. The yard looks scalped. The driveway is filled with bags of yard debris and unwanted furniture. I exhale relief and gratitude and continue picking away at the inside job, little by little -- therapy for me. I had let myself sink to Grumpy's level, refusing to do any nonessential cleaning with a "fuck it" attitude. That way lies self hatred and house hatred. I clean now, and Grumpy shakes his head, calls me crazy. I sneer.