Fingers crossed

Degas House

There is a good offer on the house!!! We are now in the option phase so the buyer could back out without penalty. However, they seem to really like it, and they appreciate the yard as well that Sally had worked so hard to establish and maintain. The option period expires on Monday and closing is scheduled for November 10. I am holding my breath and crossing my fingers hoping that nothing derails this process. The buyers will be getting a very good deal and I think they appreciate that. It will be like lifting a burden off my back when this is finished.

Val and I had a great time in Louisiana. We stayed in Lafayette on the way down to New Orleans. Very interesting--heart of the Cajun country with great Cajun food. In NO we were in a house that

Preservation Hall
had belonged to Degas' family. Went to the French quarter and did stuff like Preservation Hall and K-Pauls restaurant. Really had fun and ate too much. But I now remember how sleazy Bourbon Street is. Once every 20 years or so is enough for that. We didn't see any evidence of Hurricane Rita, but we didn't go looking for it either. Here are a couple of pictures.

It's Raining!!

We are having the first sustained rain since about February. It isn't too heavy so there shouldn't be any significant flooding. We really need it--everything was really stressed from the drought and the water restrictions. I know those of you in the west and the deserts think we don't really know what a drought is. I suppose that is true, but it is so unusual here that it does make an impact.

There is some action on the house sale, but nothing definite yet. I'm hoping for a serious offer soon, however....will let you know. I'd love to get it sold even if I need to take much less than I would want. It does look really good now.

Yesterday was Sally's birthday. She would have been 70.

This week Val and I are going to New Orleans for a couple of days--she got something on Groupon (whatever that is). We will be staying in the Degas house. Here is an excerpt from the NY Times:

Edgar Degas travelled to New Orleans during the fall of 1872 to spend a few months visiting the considerable American branch of his family. His visit is something of a legend in New Orleans, told and retold with the casual disregard for historical accuracy that affects many New Orleans memories, but it is barely known elsewhere. The journey to New Orleans marked a key moment in Degas's career, however. Distracted and stalled in his profession on his arrival, he left the city with a new sense of direction and resolve. He also took with him, in his portfolio and his mind, several unforgettable images of New Orleans life.

Who knew?

Gradually getting things organized here in the new condo. I like it a lot and it shows all the work that Lorrie, with Kathie's help, has put into it. Lorrie has been so sweet and working so hard on the new condo as well as getting the house on the market in top shape. I couldn't have done it without her.