New Learning Opportunities

A week ago, I bought my first house. Well, my first half-of-a-duplex townhome. But it's mine, and I couldn't be more thrilled. And along with unpacking all the boxes that have been living at Milt's Ministorage for the last two years--and rediscovering a past life--I've found a whole new world of learning awaiting me.

In that past life, I was a reference librarian. Instant learning was my specialty. Need to know about importing exotic wood? The history of the sugar bowl? How to tie a Danish loveknot? Given a little time, a pretty good library, and a search engine, I'd learn just enough about it to answer your question. And one of the things that never failed to astonish me was the way that you'd turn a corner and a whole new world would appear. A sphere with a body of knowledge, vocabulary, inevitably a trade magazine--the worlds are endless.

And this week, I've begun to discover the homeowning world. What bushes do best with a northern exposure? How do you ask to have your property taxes reconsidered? Can the Roomba do the kitchen floor?

This is a real learning opportunity from my Doorstep.