And Willie Said: Ten out of Five Stars

Day 6 - Friday, Dec. 10, 2021

Today we wake to 65 degrees, enjoying a warming trend in this early part of December, and are happy to remember that today is the day our windshield and side window shades project will be complete. I can't wait to show my favorite photo of all -- Brian leaning outside a window to do something that can't be done with the window closed.

But let me not get ahead of myself.

Upon waking, the first thing I see as I head toward the coffee pot is what I call my 'Faith Photo.' It is not a Bible verse, but a quote attributed to Ralph Abernathy, Sr., an American Civil Rights activist and Baptist minister. The photo was hanging on the wall of Sweet Georgia Brown when we purchased her; we liked it, so we left it there.

Lest we forget, I take a photo of the side window just behind the driver's seat that has the original accordian shade, which works well. It will be replaced. Brian begins his day by spreading the blue blanket over our sofa for its protection, then holds up the new shade that he will install.

The shade goes in easily, and the next photo shows it after being installed. These are not motorized, but raise or lower with spring action. It may take me a little practice with the thumb to set the 'stop' -- half way down or all the way.

Brian assures us that he will finish the project and we can be rolling down the highway toward Dallas by Friday afternoon, if we choose to. We ask if there is anything we can do to help (and I think it was gently suggested that I stay out of the way LOL). I did hand out bottled water. Herb helped by taking out the screws from the window trim so it could be removed, making way for the new shade.

Brian now moves to the back window which is at the dining table, and finds this one needs a different approach. "Where there is a will, there is a way," and the contortionist braces himself to lean out the window and do the next step.

Yay, yay, again! The shades project is complete. Brian gathers up his tools, folds up the blue blanket, and returns everything to his work cart. I ask the guys to pose for a photo, and I think Herb may be patting him on the back, while I give him ten out of five stars for a job well done.

He finishes an hour earlier than the 5pm promised, and Sweet Georgia Brown is smiling.