It's the little things.

This morning started with a little thing that made me smile. I found an apple that rattled. While washing an apple before adding it to a lunch, I noticed a sound. I quickly took it to Ward to see if he heard the same thing. He, too, heard the subtle rattle with a little shake. We both surmised that there were loose seeds in the middle and that's what I found when I cut it open. I'm sure there are plenty of other apples around with loose seeds that rattle, but this was a first for me-finding an apple that I could use as a rhythm instrument. The shaker apple didn't last long because I cut it up, but aren't most things in nature fleeting even when they seem to remain the same?

As long as I'm here, let's see if I can fill in what I've been doing since we last visited. There are lots of things that I can't go into detail about because they are not my stories to tell. But I've been to three memorial services and helped a relative who was in the hospital. My new job is keeping me busy with several trainings and meetings as well as other routine things. I am slowly learning my new responsibilities but have miles to go before I sleep. I have started using a light box in the mornings after testimonials from several friends. So far, I wouldn't say that a miracle has happened from using it, but I would say that overall, I am sleeping better. Always a good thing. The porch construction is progressing well and I will probably do another porch update tomorrow.

Unfortunately, I'm out of computer time for now because I have to get ready for work.

Until next time...

Porch Update, Week 11

Another week of progress. There are some big things that happened this week, but as with most weeks, the work was in the details. There are so many details that happen to complete each piece and part of this construction plan--more than the unfamiliar can imagine. But that is where the craftsmanship of the workers is shining.

The old doors were removed. Luckily it was on a warmer day and we weren't cold from chilly air. The cats didn't get to see any of the action because they spent the day locked up in the basement so they would not become escape cats.

The new doors look much like the old doors...

Except they have no rotten wood or rust.

The most exciting thing this week was the installation of the floor with Aratis porch flooring which is a composite made from PVC materials. Miss Landers and I think it's big enough and solid enough to use as a stage or have a square dance. I told Ward that any furniture for the porch would have to be easily movable so we could have a show or a dance. He was politely quiet. We were just kidding 
(maybe 😉).

But don't you think that has the makings of a stage?

Along with the floor, the steps also got treads installed.

And more dirt was put around the landing.

The electrician was on another job most of the week, but he did install a couple of outlets.

And started the installation of a new subpanel in the basement. Besides wiring for the porch, we plan to use some of the spaces in the new subpanel when we update the kitchen.

Also, there was a lot more trim work added this week. 

Until next time...

In case you missed the other installments:

And So It Begins

Porch Building, Week 2

Porch Building, Week 3

Porch Building, Weeks 4, 5, 6

Porch Update, Weeks 7, 8

Porch Update, Weeks 9, 10

Thankful Sunday--January 19, 2020

I am thankful for birds.

or more specifically, I am thankful for the entertainment they provide when they visit our feeder.

Our first birdfeeder, Ward's birthday present

If you been with me long enough, you may remember that we got our first bird feeder several years ago for Ward's birthday. I was ambivalent about the feeder and probably could have gotten along just fine without one. Or so I thought.

Soon, I was a convert. I was totally into watching the birds, their habits, and trying to learn their names. That is where Aunt Martha, our local bird expert, came in. She identified many birds for me from the pictures I sent her. Gradually I learned names and characteristics of the birds and that made watching them even more enjoyable.

We had a lot of visitors this snowy day at our previous house.

At our previous house, as the birds got to know our feeders we had quite a variety visiting including a big fuzzy grey one call a squirrel. As aggravating as it was to have the squirrels empty our feeders in one sitting, I'll have to admit it was a fun exercise trying to outsmart them.

No, the squirrel was not stuck. Just resting for a while with a full belly.

Then we moved to our new house. The birds were slower to find our feeders and the variety of birds we got was fewer. And just as traffic was beginning to pick up, we started our porch project and took down all of the feeders. We moved one to in front of a kitchen window so we could watch the birds as we were standing at the sink. It took a while for any birds to find the feeder and it's only recently that some of them will stay at the feeder if they see any movement at the sink. Right now we have two kinds of woodpeckers and house finches that visit regularly. When the porch is done, we will figure out the best way to hang feeders from it and hope that eventually we get a varied population of birds to watch. But for now, we are enjoying our finches and woodpeckers.

This was this morning at our kitchen feeder. As I approached to take the picture, I scared away several finches. While they will stay sometimes, they are still skittish.
(Too much backlighting for a good picture.)

So for the entertainment that birds have provided us in the past, today, and the entertainment they will provide in the future, I am thankful.

Porch Update--Weeks 9, 10

The work is progressing and we continue to be pleased with how everything is taking shape. Here's what they have been working on for the last two weeks.

They continue to trim the exposed wood with Boral board. Here is a Boral form the workers made to be fitted to a column.

After the columns were wrapped, molding was put around the top. Notice the chamfered corners of the post. One of the many details that the architect suggested that we wouldn't have thought of.

Snow covered the outdoor workshop one morning but the workers managed to do what they needed anyway.

The electrician continues to scurry inside and out and working on the wiring. The switches for the porch were installed last Friday. We have a couple for the ceiling fans, some for lights, and an extra one for good measure.

The mason came back and did patching around some of the outdoor areas where the electrician was working. If this works like the bricks on the columns, this patch should match fairly well after it dries.

In the meantime, the flooring got delivered. It was interesting to watch the very skilled driver maneuver the sagging boards through and over the gate into the backyard without knocking over the port-a-john or taking off a branch of the plum tree 

It was a little easier to get the door delivered to the site. We don't know the work schedule, but we assume that the floor and patio door will be installed soon. We're definitely getting there!

Until next time...

In case you missed the other installments:

And So It Begins

Porch Building, Week 2

Porch Building, Week 3

Porch Building, Weeks 4, 5, 6

Porch Update, Weeks 7, 8

Thankful Sunday, January 12, 2020

I am thankful for willing and patient teachers.

As you all know, I have a new job with a lot to learn. Some of it will be formal training, but  most of it so far has been on the job. My co-workers have patiently shown me many, many things I need to know. They have done this when it would have been much faster for them to do it themselves or when they have had other work to do. So for my coworkers who are willingly and patiently helping me to learn my new job, I am thankful.