Saturday 12 September 2020

Staining the decks, bluebird nesting box

The garden is slowing down. The milk can Josephine painted sets on the garden paver.

I'd bought some deck refinishing paint. Finding my reading glasses, I read that, "this product should not be applied below 10 C." Well, I waited some, it was to be 19 C., and the temperature rose with the sunshine.

 First off "clear the deck!"

I was slowed down, when I found a tired, old red underwing moth.

After two hours, I'd done two thirds of the upper deck, the lower deck and stairs, and, with the last drops, my big chair. I'll need another can.

I went into town for the 6-week check of my eyes post surgery. 
Town was really busy. It was a 1 o'clock appointment, I had to circle around for a parking spot on a Friday afternoon. Town Council has voted to keep Perth parking free until December. They extended it, since COVID, and thought they'd try be kinder to the tourists, I guess. The parking lot near the pub, and my eye appointment, was full.

Apparently, all is well. I do have a better idea of my eyes. My left is better close-up, just slightly. My right has slightly better distance vision. I need to get some drugstore reading glasses of 2.5x, the ones I picked up are 1.5x. This I shall have to live with.

 As I drove in the driveway, I spotted and thought I'd grab the bluebird nesting box. Here it was in the springtime. The season is over, it needs refinishing, and I might as well bring it indoors. 
I didn't have a screwdriver, there was only one screw, so I just twisted it around and around. Throwing it in the car, I drive up. Placing it on the garden paver, I looked inside. There were EIGHT WASPS. Really big ones! This could have gone really wrong... You may recall: The wasp sagaThe Wasp Saga Part 2. These were more sluggish than the yellow jackets. 


I was knackered, and took it easy. Overnight, it was 4C., so I did well getting the refinishing done. I'll check the 7-day forecast for my next opportunity to do the second coat.

For more critters: 

Saturday's Critters # 352

14 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

You are a real Do-er.
For this reason, I don't think we can be friends. ;)

Karen said...

I'm waiting for a couple or three nice days to get mine done too. We have to pick our battles this time of year! We were hoping to get apple picking today, but apparently they aren;t ready yet. Tomorrow is looking VERY wet.

Martha said...

I definitely do not get along well with wasps! Eeek!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jenn,

The moth is pretty! The wasp would spook me. You are keeping busy, with the deck painting and eye doctor visit. I am happy you vision is better after having the surgery! Take care and stay safe. Thank you for linking up your post. Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

DUTA said...

Splendid Header!!
I also like to do work with paint, screwdrivers, etc.. Cleaning the surface before doing some repair or applying paint, is the first and most important rule.

RedPat said...

Fall does seem to be the season to get a lot of maintenance done before the big W hits us.

Olga said...

I did my small deck earlier this year. It's a feeling of satisfaction once done. I noticed a number of wasps on the hydrangea in front of my kitchen window and I really hope they stay outside.
I have one eye done and will have the second done October1.

Nancy J said...

Are the wasps hibernating, and sleepy? Thank goodness you did not get stung. The deck looks great, a good time, as in the hot days it dries too fast, and in the cold, just gels in one place. Down here, some paint tins say not to paint when it is under 5C!!!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You sure got a blast of cold air! And your deck looks great! The wasps are pretty scary but I know you're glad you took down there place to nest! Happy weekend!

Tom said...

...I have wasps everywhere! Your header images is fabulous.

Christine said...

It's time to think of packing things away.

Ontario Wanderer said...

Wasps can be nasty at this time of year. you were lucky!

carol l mckenna said...

Glad your eyes are okay and reading glasses ~ not a bad thing ~ glad the wasps didn't react and you are one busy lady ~ could used some of that energy ~ ^_^

Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Lowcarb team member said...

Pleased your eye check went ok.

All the best Jan