A New “Outlook” and a Wedding

September 30, 2024 / Saloma Furlong /

David and I have been busily taking on house projects. The most complicated one yet was installing a new window in our master bedroom. When the house was built in 1987, it was common for windows in bedrooms to be small. And these were. The one we replaced was tucked into the far corner of the bedroom. We had to walk up to it to see the lake view. We knew when we first looked at the house that we wanted to replace that window.

Before (see featured photo above for after)

David took off the siding, built scaffolding, removed the old window, cut out the new opening, framed it, and had his brother help him install the window. Then he had to insulate it, put the siding back up, and take down the scaffolding. Now the outside was done, but he still had the inside to trim. I helped buy the materials, painted the pieces, and helped him install them. I filled the holes, and finish painted them. While we were at it, we also refurbished the trim of the small window on the south side. It had dark wood before, which we replaced or refinished. We are pleased with the result. Today I have a new and beautiful “outlook” on this life we have chosen.

Some time ago, we replaced the front door as well as the door to the garage. David also made new steps from the kitchen door to the garage. We’ve painted and/or replaced all the inside doors. We took apart the metal registers for the heating system, painted them, and put them back. We’ve restored or replaced baseboards. This house is starting to feel like our home, though we still need to renovate our two bathrooms and the guest bedroom.

One night last week, I came into the bedroom when it was dark, and there before me was a beautiful moonbeam across the water. It was the first time we’d seen one since we’ve lived here. We hope to see more, though we savored the moment because it felt like this might be a rare one.

Today was a gorgeous autumn day here in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. David and I went to a local orchard to pick Cortland apples for the winter. We also picked some Snowsweet apples (I’d never heard of them before!) and we’ve stored both varieties for the winter.

A photo I took along the roads we traveled

August 30 was a significant day for our family. Our son, Tim, got married to his sweetheart, Niina. There is so much hope for the future in a wedding, and it is especially so when it happens within one’s own family.

Tim and Niina

It was a small wedding with our family of four and Niina’s family of four (her mother, Yasemin, father Kaoru, and brother, Max).

From left to right: Yasemin, Kaoru, Max, Niina, Tim

The ceremony was at the city clerk’s office in NYC, the same place where Kaoru and Yasemin were married. They remarked several times how much it has changed since then.

After the ceremony, we strolled through the botanical gardens in Brooklyn, where Max took photos of the bride and groom.

For the wedding meal, we ate at Sumarai Mama, a Japanese restaurant. It was possibly the most exquisite meal I’ve eaten in my entire life. I felt like I was inside the movie Babbett’s Feast. They brought out one culinary delight after another that gradually satiated our appetites. When we left two hours later, I felt nourished in body, mind, and spirit. The leisurely meal left plenty of time for us to chat and celebrate this amazing day. Niina has already integrated into our family, though this day was a good time to affirm that. I now officially have a daughter, and I’m thrilled!

I will return to posting stories about those who grew up in a Plain community with an eighth-grade education and found their way to college. However, today I wanted to share our news.

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