So many things to know; so many points of view; so many disagreements, so many mishaps. Compared with home ownership, politics is a breeze.

We are waiting for the driveway people to show up — the firm, I mean, that seals the surface of the driveway with a black rubberizing liquid. This is a 40-yard driveway, running alongside the house, street to detached garage out back. We’ve been waiting several days for the work crew. The job is weather-dependent, and the weather’s been erratic. The firm is juggling schedules and weather forecasts — we understand. The crew actually did show up …