Home is the Sailor Home From the Sea

It's been a busy week. The inspector has been and gone, leaving us with a good report on the state of the property. One of our biggest hurdles was getting an appraisal that closely matched our agreed price. Buying country property and establishing what it's worth is a bit hit-and-miss. It's not like you have a dozen identical properties on which to base your price. But with some advise from our realtor and pouring over a handful of "comps", we made our best guess. The appraisor agreed. We were spot on. Yes! That felt good. We have ordered the survey and are now working on getting the septic system inspected. We have a June 10th closing. I have that feeling like you get when you get to the top of that first big incline on a roller coaster when you know you're in for a ride and there's no going back. Wheeeeee!

Our first argument yesterday over gates and fencing of all things. My partner wanted to put a gate on the driveway to secure the site when we're not there and leave the existing fence as-is. It's a sad looking metal post and wire affair. I wanted to install a cedar split-rail fence with a gate. It'll make the place look nice. Problem was we didn't realize we had a difference of opinion until I'd spent an hour on the phone with fence installers trying to get an estimate. I hate wasting time. And so I got a little hot under the collar. Miscommunication is the bain of marriage. Still not sure of what we're going to do other than defer the decision until later.    

Sailors are a strange bunch. Comes from all that time looking at nothing but sky and water. It brings about a a unique philosophy that is quickly recognized among those who have spent long spells at sea. My wife bought me an antique oar for my birthday. A splendid, large, solid piece of wood that was made for rowing real boats in big oceans. I immediately got the significance. From old salt stories, when sailors get ready to leave the sea they put an oar over one shoulder and walk inland. When someone asks what that is over their shoulder, that's where they stop and build a retirement home. We're there.