This will be a short post because I’m out of time. It feels fluid enough (writing) after only two or three days that I don’t even need the prompt and structure to get started anyway. The structure has been: 5m thinking about what to write, fleshing it out. Then review and spend 15m free writing. If it’s going-going-going, it’s fine to keep going. Otherwise re-read and think about what to skim from the stream of consciousness to publish. So far so good, in terms of routine, though what’s coming of writing is a new flavor of thinking that I don’t yet have a feel for. A little embarrassing (as always) but ignoring that. So normally I would cut out everything up to this point. All of the hemming and hawing. I tend to bury actual thoughts in a lot of preamble and postscript. Maybe that’s normal. *** Every year for the past three years (or maybe more)? I’ve answered the question: With what three things will I make my surroundings cozy this year? The first thing I committed to was: fixing moldy grout in our bathroom. Sort of an aggressive and difficult way to get cozy! It was more than halfway through the year when I realized I had been putting it off. Roger confirmed it hadn’t been worked on in at least 15 years. The caulk is maybe 4 years old but apparently has an average lifespan of 2 years. So, it’s time. And summer is quiet in the house with everyone’s overlapping vacations, so this week: I strike. *** A small thing I use AI for is list-making: packing lists, shopping lists, etc. > Here's a concise list of materials you'll need to regrout and recaulk a moldy bathroom: > > For removing old grout and caulk: > 1. Grout removal tool or oscillating multi-tool > 2. Utility knife or caulk removal tool > 3. ~~Bleach solution for mold treatment~~ (have it) > > For regrouting: > 4. New grout (sanded or unsanded, depending on tile spacing) > 5. Grout float > 6. ~~Bucket for mixing grout~~ (pre-mixed) > 7. Sponge and clean water for cleanup > 8. Grout sealer (optional but recommended) > > For recaulking: > 9. Silicone caulk (mold-resistant) > 7. Caulk gun > 8. Painter's tape > 9. Caulk finishing tool or your finger > > General supplies: > 10. Safety gear (gloves, dust mask, eye protection) > 11. Drop cloths or plastic sheeting > 12. Clean rags or towels *** I spent the last few weeks looking up how it would go. I’m not handy but I’m learning on YouTube. (I’ve also been listening to the Fine Home Building podcast, which I like to alternate with Local First, Shoptalk, Informed Life. They’re all really similar in some ways.) I ordered a grout rake and some oscillating carbide blades. Today after work I bought the rest of the things. It’s already going less smooth than I planned and taking longer than in the movies. :) My hands are getting callouses and are already cut up a bit. I’ve also slipped with the oscillating tool a few times and chipped and scratched some small areas of the (irreplaceable?) tile. But I’m getting better with my technique, and I hope the grout will be forgiving. I have a hard deadline to be done by Monday because I’ll be traveling. I did plan far enough ahead but I wonder if it’s going to end up taking me the entire weekend. The most similar podcast to this post is Nothing Much Happens. A story about re-grouting is boring and would be good to fall asleep to. ![[IMG_0466.jpeg]]