My dad left a huge old ladder in my garage years ago. I have no idea why; probably to annoy me (and it worked). He frequently leaves unwieldy objects that he no longer wants in my garage.

The first Repair Café event is under our collective belts. And it was a blast! Huge sigh of relief. Huge. Right on, Portland! I’m not sure the Last Thursday habituées were prepared to see a sewing machine – complete with a seamstress – plus disassembled computers at the (depending on when you dropped by) hippie/ster festival (or, perhaps, debauched event) that is Alberta Street once a month in the summer.

Are you crafty? Not sly or sneaky, but good with your hands? The type who’s got multiple hole punchers and scissors and an inventory of spray paint? Well, if not, you can head to one of the Portland-area antique malls and buy repurposed art or furniture from an artist who is good at that sort of thing.

What to do when the sun comes out and you can see how dirty your house is? First, you could clean. Second, you could get out of the house until it is too dark to see all the dust and hairballs floating around and save yourself some grief and work. You can probably guess which path I take.

How are you liking Pinterest? If you haven’t tried it, and if you are considering any house projects at all, you will not believe how helpful Pinterest can be.

In the aftermath of Katrina, designer Marianne Casuto developed the Katrina Cottage. They are stunning. They are compact, efficient, and beautiful. And guess what? They are available for purchase.

The retrospective of photographer Carrie Mae Weems at the Portland Art Museum reminds me to stop and feel both life’s momentous and mundane moments.