We are hangin’ on the horns of several dilemmas at the moment. First and foremost: we have a serious roof leak that must be addressed. I’ve mentioned this before, but after last night’s heavy downpour, the message has been reinforced bigly.

I asked the roof rep to investigate the potential for including solar in a replacement roof. Now I know solar doesn’t pay if you are just adding an array of panels to your existing roof. But if I’m going to replace the whole thing, has the technology come far enough to have it included in the roof tiles? Obviously more research is needed here. In the meantime, just finding the source of the leak is tricky. Erik thinks it might be at the peak where the gables and valleys meet. Given how full the attic is with insulation and ac ductwork, it’s difficult to ascertain the leak’s exact location. Again, more research needed.

Then there’s the question of how to pay for it. We have an appointment on Wednesday to talk with PNC bank about converting the HELOC which is about to expire into a 30 year mortgage. But the dilemma we face is that most of the interest has already been paid on the HELOC. If we let Wells Fargo convert it into a 15 year mortgage, most of our payments go to principal instead of interest. A refi puts us back at square one again, with most of the albeit smaller payment going to interest. But going with a 15 year, accompanied by the ever looming potential for significant increases in insurance costs, may pose a cashflow problem. More research needed. Fortunately, we have plenty of time: it doesn’t convert until September of next year. But with interest rates rising – temporary or permanent? Sigh. So many dilemmas.

Then there’s the question of work. Right now I am working because it gives me stuff to write about. But if inflation is with us for the long term, does that mean I’ll need to work for the money to make ends meet in this new world of ever increasing costs for things like food, fuel and – oh my – health care supplemental insurance? I guess these are issues all us elders are having to face in the not-too-distant future. But it’s here and now for us. Your perspectives would be appreciated.

On the topic of work, I did apply for a job as an Assistant Manager at the Amazon Warehouse. It would be another dimension for the book I’m writing on my work experiences at HD. Obviously I’d have to change the name of the book, currently slated to be “My Year at the Depot.” Maybe instead it’d be “My Year of Working Dangerously” if the rhetoric coming out of the union campaign bears any truth? Oh, well. I doubt I’ll get a nod from Amazon, as their process is still very complicated, even in this new world of labor shortages. I really believe my age works against me, with suppositions about fitness of body & mind. If I do get an interview, should I pursue it, or stick with what I have? Apparently, HD thinks there will be less traffic after Easter, as they only have me down for 12 hours that week. I’d hate for my career to be cut short before the book is finished. I need a full year to make it credible. We shall see.

So there you have it, faithful readers. Lots of issues, but time to contemplate. While that’s going on, I’ll keep matching paint and showing where the spackle lives. What a life!