My kudzu project morning routine involves a microwaved bowl of water, soap and a washcloth. Since the bathroom has no door, the sorry excuse for personal hygiene happens in one of the children’s bedrooms. Sunday morning, I expected the demolition/construction to begin after my father got home from church and changed out of his good clothes. I shuffled back to a bedroom in my fuzzy robe and sleepily started my non-bath. I was mid armpit scrubbing when my father walked in the room with the door I had forgotten to close. My father silently spun around and walked, no, jogged away as I melted into the floor. I hope this water softener system we are installing is worth it…

I swept up my dignity and put it in the trashcan with the shattered remnants of our old bathtub.