Dear Marion,

Thank you very much for your letter. Your humor and good
sense make life so much easier! I think I need just a few
more days to finish the electrical installation, and I've 
been scheming how to get the work done in the face of
Mr. Ciarmataro's prohibition of my using the plumbing.
I'm not at all sure that the court would accept my argument
that in purporting to give me orders, he is usurping the
prerogative of the court. The judges are not at all attuned
to procedural niceties; there's no telling what penalties,
if any, they would impose. The same goes for the argument 
that the well and the pressure tank are not under the
Inspector's jurisdiction, do not require a permit, and that
it's my prerogative to attach a garden hose to the tank
and fill as many five gallon buckets with water as we
need. The toilet problem might be addressed by lining an
an unattached toilet bowl that happens to be standing around
with a plastic bag, the contents of which might be emptied
into the septic tank through the sewer clean-out a few feet
beyond the basement wall. The septic system like the well,
is also not under the Inspectors jurisdiction.  The contemplated
arrangements would meet all our plumbing needs except for hot
water. Do you think God would forgive me if I cheated on Mr.
Ciarmataro and turned on the hot water tank on occasion?
Remembering how I slept in my minivan each night for 4 weeks
when the house was going up, what I contemplate seems by
comparison quite luxurious. However I'm not sure how well
Margaret could manage. 

As for your visit, when you're ready to come, give me a call,
or send me an e-mail. We'll change our plans and I'll meet you
at the airport.

Jochen

PS Klemens just telephoned. He invited Margaret to stay with
them in their rented house on Nantucket from July 31 through
August 7, while I finish the wiring at 3 Red Barn Road. I'm
very much pleased, because I didn't think they wanted to see
anything of us. It would be very practical if you came during
the week of August 7, for example on August 10th as you had
suggested. If you had a return ticket for August 21, or so,
we would enjoy each other's company. Margaret and I would
stay in Belmont until I had put you on your plane and might
or might not thereafter drive south. If you didn't have a return
ticket, we just might drive to Virginia together. From my
perspective, there's no need at this juncture, to commit
yourself to anything.