Slightly crosseyed from his bath, Max ponders the huge amount of work we need to do on our newish house. Crazy window salesmen have been coming over all week, pitching U-values and composite foam fill and full-welded corners. And "virgin vinyl," which sounds like the name of a pornographic movie. The last guy told us we were getting a 50 percent discount because he doesn't like marketing gimmicks. I see. It's all a little frightening and we wish we could afford more than vinyl, even virgin vinyl. But so it goes.

Work is still fun - no stories to report -- except...wait...oh, there is one thing. Ask me about..no, I can't even say it.