Repainting and Butch

My goal has been to sand and repaint our exterior framing. After 30 years, and who knows how many layers of paint, it was time. I've been thinking about this task for a year, at least. I'm hoping to be getting out of my funk, but setting and achieving goals has been tough. That, and making decisions. I hope the worst is over, for now. Family have been wonderful. I thank you all for putting up with me.

The garage door was new in 2014 (There goes the family fortune, kids!) Later, there was a backing up incident, when I took out the bottom panel. That was repaired. I was so dumb! I couldn't see it in the rear view mirror, it hadn't quite gone all the way up.

The electric sander is heavy, so I spaced this project out over a couple of days. I was ready to repaint Tuesday, June 1st, but we'd rain on the way. By the afternoon, no rain, only drought. Having washed the door, and let it dry, I was good to go.

You can see the new interior frame didn't cover the old framing space width, and it has always bothered me. In hindsight I could have used primer, but I ordered a gallon of paint. I used three or four coats, I lost track.  

I'd been sanding the frame around the garage door, I closed the door to keep the dust out. I had the door clicker outside with me, as I'd taped the keypad in prep for paint. JB was in town. I opened it up, to put my tools in, when I spotted Blond Butch. I knew she'd figured out the bird seed can. They have a good sense of smell.

Cinnamon came to inspect. He wasn't too worried.

There were two raccoons later on in the day. I was amazed as it hauled itself up into the can. 

This is why I got rid of the cracked corn down at the pond. Maybe I should lock this in the shed, although the mice get in, then! Garage Butch 

Just for good measure, Butch took out Peter. I bought Peter in an auction. He did a face plant, and lost his wheelbarrow, as well as some fingers. I Crazy Glued them, and got more on MY fingers than his. I am not confident that his little fingers hold up his wheelbarrow. 

After this damage, Butch tried to chew a hole in my fertilizer jug. 

Lest you think it stopped there, it did not.

I was sitting on the back deck, watching the crows. Along came Blond Butch.

 

Butch in the backyard from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Then they were in the front. I could see Butch staring at Cinnamon, who was still standing on the bird bath!

Cinnamon couldn't believe it!

Butch visited the butterfly, again.

Butch in the front yard from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Butch decided it might be fun to explore the back deck. Next, I heard Nutmeg growling at the door. Sure enough, Butch.
 

Butch on the deck from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

BTW

I've had to ice my hand, as I hadn't used my painting muscles in a long time! It's so fun getting old.

Deer, gray lags, crocus, sumacs

We've had a couple of days of rain, about 20 mm, and the forests are dripping. I went down to the pond, through the forest. There, under the tree, is a frowsy looking deer. Wisely hunkered down under the branches of an evergreen. It's a thin one, with a wonky leg.



There is more action in the night. I keep meaning to go out at dusk and look for it, but the porcupine has been working on the tree bark. This is an area they used to mow. I stopped that when we moved in in 2010. It is a field of sumac, although the deer are quite fond of it, too.
In the forefront of the photo is one of the sumac trees that has grown to 6' tall. I think the porcupine climbed it and broke it! It's gotten a couple more down. Little twerp, and the deer have eaten the buds that the porcupine has kindly made available to them.



The little sumac trees are coming along. I'm hoping they grow another foot or two this year. We'll see. The apple trees, the two I'd planted[ I planted two apple trees, Sept., 2015], have been trimmed, too!


Off I went to volunteer. I was a bit early, and took a detour. These gray lags thought I might feed them, or that I needed a telling off! You can see the rain falling in the puddles.



The bulbs are struggling. After sitting with my client on Thursday, the rain stopped, the sun came out, and the bulbs near the house opened up again.


Now, here is another funny tale. I wanted to wash the kitchen floor, but first swept up the paint flaking off the back of the garage door. It is a heavy metal door, which they painted. Somehow, the paint flakes are sticky, and I had trouble sweeping it. Then, I thought I'd scrape off the bubbling flakes, to get a bit ahead of it. Twenty minutes later, arms sore, I did most of it! I thought I'd quit before I lost the energy to actually wash the floor. I tried to sweep up the mess, lifting the carpet, paint stuck to my feet. It was everywhere. Anyway, happily the floor is clean, and I have another project to finish for another day!

There goes the family fortune, kids!

New door!

Yep. A new garage door. Actually, we're using the Line of Credit, but this is our family joke!
The old garage door, 30 years old, has had its day. We could no longer find a remote clicker that worked for it, either. That was rather a huge complication. We both feared being locked in or out of the garage.

Folks in our province really need garages, what with all the snow.

The old door was rotting in a section, and we thought it was time to get a new one. Just as important as a good, solid roof, is a solid door to keep out the cold!

A nice young man, a hard-working fellow, took away the old one he'd removed, and popped the new one in place! I cannot find any photos of the old door, with the rot on the bottom. It wasn't pretty. Of course, doing outdoor chores, the door was usually open as I fetched tools and such.

On a nice day I am going to have to spruce up the inside of the garage, though! It looks much less pristine and white than the new door! There are cobwebs and bugs sheltering from our cold weather. 

Small birds are forming groups

Today, it was 5 C. when I got up in the morning, and the outdoor goldfish are sheltering in the bottom of the goldfish pond. The furnace is now on. Poor, cold hubby, who has lost some weight, walks about the house in heavy sweaters. Yes, it is cooler, with much precipitation. We've had some strange Lake Effect precipitation, with huge streams of clouds, some very dark and full of moisture, sailing by with heavy winds. 

Oct. 5th

At the end of the day, the rainbows make it a lovely sight. They've appeared while I was cooking dinner, and it was just a fluke that I sauntered over to the back door. Last week I was on a beer run, and stopped beside the road to grab a photo!

Thursday, Oct. 9th

Wed., Oct. 8th