Deck work, Part 2

 I worked on restaining the upper deck, next job was the lower deck. My window of opportunity was closing. We needed no rain, and temperatures above 10 ℃, and our September overnight temperatures are getting lower.

I didn't need to sand it, just use the power washer on a few boards where they get moisture from the foliage on dewy nights. I know I should have done this last year, but I wasn't in a good mental space for that. And I missed the window. Why stain decks when you cannot sit on them in our short season called summer?! 

I worked as fast as I could, trying to be frugal with the water. 

I waited for the deck to dry, and began with the drip line under the railings. Dew drips onto the deck and I wanted to do a good job there.

I used the little roller under the railing:

There we go. That looks much better. 

Of course, we had a pop-up rain storm! It didn't last long, and didn't dump much rain (5 mm/ 0.02") so I hope for the best.

This morning, I woke to 11 ℃, and 10 is the lowest temperature they recommend for 24 - 48 hours. I think we'll be OK, although I can still smell the stain. We'll cross our fingers. What a relief to get it done. Finally!

🚴I've updated the post on our friend, Rick, who rode from here to Ottawa on his bicycle (Google map). We helped him pick out a trail, going east through Smiths Falls, and up Prince of Wales by the river. It's the route we take for our Ottawa urologist/surgeon visits. 

It was nice of him to check in with us. He had a great ride, even though his ride here was the worst on awful trails. Whew! 

Cleaning up the yard

 I split Wednesday's activities in two parts. I brought in Percy, while puttering around the yard whilst waiting for the pond to drain. Next job was to remove the topper on the bench swing. There was a little tree frog under the canopy. Can you see him? They've been calling in the forest, but it's likely the last I'll see of gray tree frogs for winter.

 Top safely off (with JB's help), froggie was too hot in the sun, and moved around to the other side! I thought that was so cute!

I had to removed the rest of the vines, sweep it, and chuck the vines elsewhere. 

 

Along the driveway I went, another two ribbon snakes! They are such gentle things. Minding their business, freezing in fear, or running away when I approach. They are after insects, nestled in the leaves.

This second one was hiding in the leaves. It is nicely camouflaged! Look hard!

Back up the driveway. I'll bet this is the last of our colours. 

The leaves are blowing in the wind. You can see them on the driveway, under the trees.

The horse chestnuts are beginning to fall! There aren't too many this year. The squirrels are getting into them. They don't usually bother with them, but they seem hungry

We've rainstorm warnings. The skies were amazing: 'red sky in the morning.'

Bugs and blooms: yay SPRING!

We've a situation under the lower deck. It is a great place to relax. 😉😜  Aside from bugs and bees! Fred has dug a hole under it, but seems to have moved out. Here is JB relaxing there. I went down to sit with him and a big bumble bee came at us. Then there were three. I am sure they have chased out dear Fred the groundhog. He's been absent a couple of days.

Both of us now have blackfly bites. They are horrid. At least they don't come in the house. This heat will hopefully dry up the running water they rely on in order to reproduce. I thought of this time of year while in the depths of winter!

Fred has redug a hole he made here↓ under the woodpile in 2022. (I'd filled it in.) I still have to stack my wood from our tree branch clean up. I'll have to avoid 'fencing him in!' I worry that the wood will fall on him!

I woke at dawn on Tuesday, and decided to go for it. Donning hat with bug spray on the top, pants and gloves, I dug some dirt, and dumped it into the holes. I caught myself on the camera! 

It's best to work on them in the dark, when the bees are in bed, and it was cold, only 10˚ C., having had a high of 32˚ C. the day before. 

I'll leave this here and see what happens. I have plans B, and C ready in my head. 

So far, no sign of the bees. I think I won! 

I've been having fun on the upper back deck. Most of my house plants are out there. I repotted the orchid, as it was falling over, and was pot bound. Dear JB bought me a new pot and cactus soil. I rearranged my display, as the direct sun is a bad thing. Tying the orchid to the metal tree ornament (it was a gift!), it'll prevent it from falling over in a wind. I've been rearranging. The trick is to avoid having the sun on them, as they are likely to get burned.

They have the most beautiful faces. I'd bet other bloggers could take exquisite photos of them, mine are adequate.

This wasn't a too bad photo, at 5 a.m., as the sun rises. You can see the mosquito hawk on the blossom.

The petunias are delightful.

BTW, we need rain. I watered the front garden Monday night. It is very dry this month. Our average is 78 mm in May, although 2017 was an outlier. 

My serviceberry shrub, bought as a teeny plant, is thriving. I'd bought about a dozen from our Civitan Club, selling them as a fundraiser. They are blossoming! Soon we will have bright red berries, when the serviceberries and huckleberries bear fruit.

The hops vine is up to the upper deck! The white bleeding hearts look lovely.

Visiting cat Pepper has been here. I caught him on Fred's trailcam!

 

Pepper May 27 from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

I call him Silverback Coyote. He has a lighter mark which reflects the camera light.

 

Silverback coyote from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

The deer have been scarce. They should be having fawns anytime. They tend to disappear in May, returning to feast on my hostas. I am ready! The only deer I've seen has been on the frogpond trailcam. He is growing his new antlers! 

 

young buck from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Have a wonderful day. Yes, the news is awful. We have to find joy where we can. Bear witness, if you can, protect yourself if you need some self-care.