Things Suck At Times...

Rosie has once again decided that the rear wall is not doable, so we struggle with that. I have finished the ceiling, finished the paneling, with the help of the kiddies, and now she wants the damn wall different than it is. Her good friend Barb, who thinks she is a decorator extraodinaire, came over and told Rosie that the wall should be pegboard. So, down comes the damanble wall...

Of course, I find that the wall will not meet code if I do it the way dear Barb, bless her heart, wants my Rosie to have it. Duh! I am thinkin' at this point that there should be a law regarding women and building construction...

But I have found interesting things. I took the fitting room down to the bare wall, and find pristine red brick, the mortar as fresh as it was when it was built 110 years ago, and I am satisfied within my soul...

Peace,

Charlie~

The Life & Times...

Sitting here at 2:15 AM, getting ready to crash. We have spent the day working on Bella Grande, getting the ceiling in some sort of order. A 110 year old building is strange - I find 3 levels of ceiling in this place, with antique lighting fixtures halfway up. I have ingested a half pound of fiberglass insulation, washed it down w/ schnapps and good cold Rolling Rock, and now am thinking about going down...

I love working on this old place. The history here is incredible, with new things found each day. I feel lucky to be able to share in a bit of that history. It is my wish to restore this building to its original integrity, but prolly won't live long enough. I take my shower each AM, and stand in a shower stall that is an intergal part of an old skylight, reaching 20 feet above my head. The skylight is enclosed with beadboard, painted white who knows how many times. Yet, I see it in its original condition, varnished and pristine, w/ a whimsical mobile hanging there for the steam from the shower making it dance. Ah, life is good...

Peace,

Charlie~

Work has progressed on Bella Grande to a point where the shit gets deep. We are all getting raggedy, are at each other's throats, and are tired. It is too much for old Coon's to handle at his age.

Here are a few shots of the work being done, including one of yours truly with my constant companion, a hot cup of espresso. Don't pay any attention to the idiot in the background. My son Richie has a propensity for Budweiser, and it was late indeed when these shots were taken...

Peace,

Charlie~

The Life & Times...

Sitting here at 1 AM in the morning, I see little activity. Tonight here in mid-Michigan it is chilly, wht the threat of freezing rain. The dumpster divers and the homeless people that shuffle up and down my alley are laying low - a good indication of what the weather will be like tommorow...

This weekend we will work on Rosie's store. Nick & Sara are coming, and I am glad of that, and I think Rich & Gary will be out to help. My Rosie has big plans for food. I will believe that when I see it, of course. I am sure she will have a good supply of potato whiskey on hand, though! Can't be without the "essentials" now, can we?

Life has not yet set into a pattern for me. I am still working on getting used to once again being in the city...

drive on...

Charlie~

Life By The Drop

I have always had an issue with alcohol. I like a good buzz, and especially like one early in the day. Stevie Ray called it "Livin' Life by the Drop." It is a lifestyle that many cannot understand. Doing 2 tours in the Nam is something that many people can't understand either. So, I do what I have to do.

I am lucky in having a woman that uderstands the demons in my life. She knows that they will bury PTSD with me. It has been 40 some odd years since my sojourn to SE Asia, yet it is as real to me today as it was then. Just the corners are blurred...

I give thanks to those that have helped me to achieve that...

Drive on...

Charlie~

Herein lies The Coon Chronicles. It is the rant of an old man living in a friggin' livery stable, of all places! See the sign on the wall? Well, this is where the old Coon resides.

I am surrounded by things old and lovely, including my darlin' wife Rosie. I will attempt to put ya in my place - the place of a photojournalist that like to drink, smokes too many cigarettes, and lives the good life, according to the Coon.

Walk with me here...

Peace,

Charlie~