Tag Archives: backyard

Memories.

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Sometimes Facebook makes me cry.

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This popped up on my “memories” feed the other day and I admit it made my eyes leak.

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My mom passed 8 years ago but it’s amazing how fresh the grief still feels.

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Sadly, the lovely tulip tree we planted did not appreciate the cruel Maine winters and was dead two years later.

Mr. White, our beautiful long haired Japanese bobtail Manx is no longer with us either.

So many reasons for leaky eyes.

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Squirrelly

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Our bird bath has been a Godsend to wild creatures this dry, drought ridden summer. Birds bathe and numerous animals drink… like this thirsty little fellow.

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Now that the random apple tree has matured we’re seeing a lot more squirrels.

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The bath is simply a jump away.

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And perfect on hot days.

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As is splooting in the shade.

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🙂

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And finally, the other side.

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Because my husband never likes to rush things he moved around to the back side of the baby barn yesterday to complete the gutter installation…. 12 days after he did the front. Better late than never is his middle name.

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Did things go more smoothly on the flip side?

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They did not.

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Miscalculation on length left him with two short pieces instead of the one long piece he needed which meant yet another trip to Lowes for additional connectors. Sigh.

Was the finished gutter line straight and true?

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Not quite, but it doesn’t leak. That’s probably as much as I can hope for.

And if you’re wondering just how dry it’s been here?

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Dry enough for the husband to a pan under the downspout to catch the small amount of rain we got last night.

Please note the green you see is all weeds. Most of the grass is still brown.

😕

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A possible solution

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Most years I wouldn’t have given this article a second thought.

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But with a lawn comprised mostly of brown grass and numerous half dead flower beds? It caught my eye.

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Interesting….

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Who knew gin could solve my garden woes?

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Drunks fare better than abstainers? Anyone who’s seen me navigate icy winter sidewalks after a few cocktails could have told you that.

😉

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Baby fox!

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It doesn’t happen often. Our house is too far away from the woods and they have to cross a long wide open space to reach the buffet.

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Matter of fact this is only the third time in twenty years we’ve seen it.

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But momma fox brought a baby to the buffet last night.

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And we were beyond thrilled. Baby is on the left, and as you can tell not a little baby anymore, but momma won’t risk them in the open when they’re small.

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Repairing a boo boo.

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There’s always something that needs to be repaired at Casa River, and sometimes that something is the Barn Mahal porch.

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For some reason ( read – crazy Maine weather, massive frost heaves and lack of gutters ) one section of the porch lifted over the years with the result being smashed and then rotted wood under the corner post.

A cousin was called to assist… as there was heavy lifting required and yours truly sucks at that.

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I also suck at not exclaiming WTF! when I go outside to check on the repair progress.

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I doubt that set up was OSHA approved… but it did the job and supported the roof while the post was removed.

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Rotted wood.

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Please note I am not standing on the porch to take pictures.

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Rotted wood replaced….

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Corner post cut and reseated.

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With a hammer, because fine tuning was required.

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And yes, it’s a bit crooked now.

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But my bat was rehung and the roof is still over our heads… so I’m calling it good.

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