Tag Archives: insulation

Better Windows on the World

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Community, Family, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Striving

February 16,2026- The work crew arrived before son and I were fully dressed, but Yunhee and Hana were set for their day. We men fortunately were able to get it together before the two ladies came in to do their work. There were four crew members on the window installation team. The ladies worked on inside prep and the men were on the ladders outside. The crew chief used a blowtorch to loosen the fittings on the old windows, the new windows were installed and we have more climate-efficient viewpoints on the world.

I explain these things to Hana, though it will be a while before she even knows what windows and doors are. She is, however, studying her world very intently with her little eyes and I know she’s thinking about things at a newborn’s level. The main things are still a regular meal and a clean diaper, and cuddle time with each of us is a close third. Mom and Dad made a quick sale of a couple of items they no longer need, at the Middle School Pop-up Market, this evening. Guess who wasn’t consulted, and felt let down. I was at least able to keep her from feeling too abandoned-and it was only for ten minutes.

The day was nice, as I was also able to clear 90% of the pile of cardboard from our garage, taking it to the recycling center. It is on the other side of town, taking me through downtown Plano, which meant a stop at 1418 Coffee, for a macha & scone. Granddaughter was glad to see me when I got back and we had a bit more playtime before dinner.

I thought a bit about today being President’s Day, and how we cannot close the country’s curtains on the wider world. We also can’t pretend that our windows should be tinted, so the rest of the planet doesn’t seem to exist. We need to set an example of order, not chaos. I hope that is starting to dawn on some of those who act as if they want to roll back the clock, or set a timer on how long it takes to amass a larger fortune than anyone could ever spend.

Hope all had a decent President’s Day.

Storm Preps

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Family, impediments, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 23,2026-

Cardboard has many uses. We are putting former packing boxes to use, this evening, as insulation on several windows. I also spread Icy Melt on the driveway, steps and sidewalk.

It is nearly midnight, and while it is snowing and windy, we have not lost power and it is warm inside. I am watching Hana overnight, and we are snuggled in a blanket , until she falls asleep again.

My thoughts are with all those in the path of this mega-storm, from Northern Arizona to New England. If you are in the crosshairs, let a loved one know your whereabouts. We are all in this together.

The Midnight Clear

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Family, impediments, Inspiration, Personal Values, service, Social, Spiritual, Striving

December 24, 2025, Plano- Before the exterminators left yesterday, they said that if there were any vermin in the attic or in the eaves, I would hear them, as there was no insulation in the house, overnight. I didn’t even hear crickets, so I guess that means it was a midnight clear-of rodents.

Hana reportedly slept well, getting up for her 3 a.m. feeding, which was dutifully supplied by bottle. The breast pump’s inventor deserves the Nobel Prize for Peace, in my book. Mothers have to shoulder an enormous burden, as it is. My son, knowing how important natural milk is, has stayed at his wife’s and daughter’s sides for the past three days and is holding his own.

I am likewise keeping the home fire burning. Speaking of which, while the workmen were funneling new insulation into the attic and eaves, our smoke alarm would occasionally go off. It would stop on its own, after a few minutes. I kept watch and noticed only that smoke was coming up from the outside barrel, where the attendant was mixing the insulation material. With the front door remaining open, for circulation, the smoke would occasionally waft in. No harm was done, though, and a few hours after they left, I turned our HVAC thermostats back on “Heat” mode,

Culling our endless supply of cardboard consumed my afternoon, then I visited H Mart, a Korean grocery store, about five miles away, replenishing a few items that Yunhee will welcome, upon the family’s return, tomorrow morning. It’ll follow another midnight clear.

Merry Christmas, everyone!