Joanne's....

      It was Joanne who got us moving from our house in Golden Valley, MN. Resistant at first, I joined the parade to relocate to downtown Minneapolis. Our house, which served us well from 1988-2010, was a split foyer. That meant two flights of stairs from garage to the main level. With knee problems Joanne didn't like the steps.

    Through our friends, C & H, we found a large condo on the 15th floor downtown. It offered the vista a prairie boy needs to avoid claustrophobia. The unit had not been updated since the building opened in 1980. It was offered at a significant discount becasue it was in deplorable condition. Joanne was ready for the challenge.

    We quickly agreed that she'd lead the renovation and I promised not to second guess any of her decisions. She had all the old dark woodwork replaced with oak including solid oak doors. In the kitchen there were all new appliances and custom oak cabinets. The triangle closet outside the kitchen was removed and the wall opened so one could see from the kitchen across the dining/living room and through the sliding glass doors to the deck. Oak flooring was laid throughout with the exception of the three bedrooms which got new carpet. The bathrooms were redone with new showers and vanities. A walk-in closet was constructed off the master bedroom. The door from the living room to the smallest bedroom was removed leaving the door to the hall. All of the walls were painted. Miraculously the contractor, having to work on the 15th floor, completed all this work in 33 days!

   Having accepted an offer from a buyer the closing date approaches. Today I visited the condo to be certain that it was in good shape and to say a final goodbye. It's been painted since I vacated but yet the place reeks of Joanne and her decisions. Perhaps the buyer likes oak, which I'm told is coming back into fashion. We'll not meet, since COVID sellers and buyers close in separate time and locations

   There was grief in that last visit. It was a stark reminder that Joanne, who transformed the place, is dead. We loved living there, were pleased with the renovation, and delighted in downtown life while Joanne lived. After she died, and COVID transformed downtown, it lost its appeal. She would love The Old Folk's Home, and its a great place for me.

Takk for alt,

Al

                    The kitchen before Joanne.