I love the movie “Groundhog Day.” One of my favorite scenes comes when Phil Connors, the irascible weatherman played by Bill Murray, tries to explain his predicament to his producer. “It’s the only possible explanation. I’m a supernatural being.”<\/p>\n
He was talking about living the same day over again. I don’t have that problem, but I know exactly how we felt when he came to grips with his power.<\/p>\n
It’s my fault we haven’t had rain for so long.<\/p>\n
Sure, we had a little bit this past week, but that was just to taunt me because I drove back from work for soccer practice, then had to drive back down to Baltimore for an evening event.<\/p>\n
That wouldn’t have been fun without the threat of rain as soon as I arrived looming over me. So I am the one who has altered the weather pattern for what may be eternity. And it’s all because I decided to do some work around the house.<\/p>\n
I have always wanted a nice basement. When I visit friends who have a finished basement, I envy them.<\/p>\n
Our basement leaks. It’s cold and impersonal. That all started to change about a month ago, however.<\/p>\n
I set out and got a huge bucket of waterproofing paint. I set out drop cloths, put on old clothes and actually painted the walls in an attempt to create a “man cave,” as my wife so eloquently calls my plans.<\/p>\n
You don’t know the gravity of this situation. I don’t like to paint. I really don’t like to paint. I don’t even like the Rolling Stones song “Paint It Black.”<\/p>\n
But this project was different than all the others. Painting the living room really doesn’t do anything for me because the basic living room structure won’t change.<\/p>\n
The basement is a different story. I can put a recliner there. I can get cable installed. I can yell at the TV, within reason, without worrying about waking the whole house.<\/p>\n
This is all I have dreamed about for years. I had to do the physical labor to make it come true. I just didn’t expect to start a drought.<\/p>\n
I can’t fully enjoy my new creation until I know that the waterproofing has worked. We got rid of a bunch of junk from the basement, but I don’t want to start moving in too many things until we are sure water won’t continue to trickle through the basement after a hard rain.<\/p>\n
And that apparently won’t happen. The only explanation is my new supernatural powers. Or the fact that God is mad at me for not paying someone to work for me.<\/p>\n
Writing a check is my best home improvement skill. When I started this project, I was proud that I was adding something to my repertoire. I actually enjoyed the work.<\/p>\n
Now I just have to wait for the supernatural to take its course. Unless a higher power wants to embarrass me in the newspaper. I just hope I can enjoy the embarrassment in my basement without getting wet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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