As for Other Things, the painter is about halfway through. We have an interesting relationship: I carefully explain what I want, then he does whatever he wants. I’ve been trying to somehow get through it and just get the work done. I’ve already cut back on the projects I was planning to give him, but I’m not at all sure I won’t have to switch painters. He knows a lot, but he wants things done his way, despite my initial and up-front specifications. Sigh.