The bathroom remodeling project is drawing to a close; the room is almost complete. It’s marble and gray, a cool neutral space — one that already puts the rest of the house to shame.

I marvel at its elegance, wonder if we’ve overdone it, but tell myself, no, this is the first of several projects that will spiff up the old place, make it more livable now and perhaps boost its market value later. I remind myself that this is money earmarked for just such a use. I tell myself to chill out.

Mostly, I tell myself to wait for the first ceremonial soak, perhaps as soon as tonight, though that may be overly optimistic. To wait for the warm water that I can slide into, up to my shoulders. To wait for the room to be finished and polished and gussied up — ready, like these lights here, for its closeup.