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It’s 4 degrees outside.
James will be staying over tonight and both boys will be here tomorrow.
I booked our hotel for New Year’s in Providence, but think we’ll stay put tomorrow. We’re supposed to get a snowstorm.

Not a lot going on in the garden this week; in fact, nothing.
The only outdoor task was to put down treads on the stairs. Earlier this month, we had some ice, and the going on the composite was treacherous. I really waited much too long to get this done so last evening, took advantage of the last bit of mild air (40’s) expected for a while to ensure a good seal between tread and stairs.
Otherwise, I’ve been busy with indoor projects, painting and putting up a new towel holder in the bathroom and a utility hangar on the door to the cellar. Plus the wreath in the window and the Route 66 sign on the shed.
Peter hired a team to do the leaf-clearing and some pruning at #11, so there is virtually nothing to be done over there, either.

I was happy to escape the nasty neighbors at my old house in Marshfield, but desperately missed my tiny garden, shed and attic.
Turns out, I also missed the hardwood floors that I had restored after getting rid of the nasty old carpeting and linoleum.

Continue reading Home Is Where the Hardwood Floor Is

We’re supposed to have snow tomorrow night into Sunday morning.
Yesterday, it was in the 60’s in the afternoon after a wild rainstorm. I was able to finally poly coat the front railings.
I think I have everything needed for the floor except for the accessories, which should be arriving next week. It’s been a challenge to get everything in order: underlayment, cement.
I bought several shades of paint for the walls and woodwork.
James and his friend Ethan are here. They are fed and happy, watching a DVD.

Finished dead heading and pruning today, at least for now; mulched the rose bushes and the skimmias. Glad I planted them, they are the only bit of color left.
Cut down more grasses. Wind advisory. The garden looks fairly tidy, but it’s depressing, and I’m missing summer.
With the solar lights on, the garden at night resembles the bow of a ferry, as seen from the wheelhouse.
Changed out the flower boxes on the shed Thanksgiving morning. I like the colors, green and white.

Thanksgiving. Started pruning today, made a good sweep through all of the gardens. Things look much neater.
This year, I’m especially thankful for Mr. Fluffles.
Planted some pretty skimmias the other day, and fortunately for them, it’s been raining off and on ever since, and expected to do so for the next several days.
Done with the lawn for the year except for raking and probably one last mowing.
Tried to Thompson’s the deck, but I waited too long, temps have been too low (below 50).
Nice Thanksgiving dinner at Sandy’s, was good to see everyone.
NOT looking forward to the flooring project. I have three bids, and have been trying to ensure that comparisons are equivalent. Worn out with home improvements.

Frost this morning. It stuck to the bluegrass in the sod but not to the rest.
Grass got its fall fertilizer earlier this week.
I won an eBay auction for a stainless steel gazing ball. Got a glass globe at Home Depot, but it’s too small. Might find another spot for it.

Placed more sod yesterday, then Peter drove us to Framingham to sign off on our checks, which we deposited last night. Mine has already cleared. We saved at least a week by picking up the checks rather than mailing everything back and forth.
Weather wasn’t too bad on the way up, but it was raining pretty hard on the way back.
Took everyone to lunch at Fugakyu in Sudbury. We were about ready to leave when the power went out.
One of the lenses in my glasses popped out while I was getting ready; Peter got it back in.
Refilled the bird feeder the other day, thinking about rigging up a large plastic tray to discourage the squirrels. Put up the Halloween decorations; yesterday’s crazy wind blew a couple off.

April and Tony worked on the front yard on Saturday (24th), didn’t have a chance to finish with the rain; got over an inch.
Nice day on Sunday, drove to Wellfleet for the finale of the 2009 conference.
Still undecided about whether to put down more sod in the back. It’s such hard work, I hate the thought of it.
Big puddle in the back at #11 where Rich removed weeds and other “junk”, need to talk with him about that and the hydroseeding at #20.

Continue reading Gardener’s Diary

Woke up this morning to find the umbrella knocked off its base and another inch of water in the empty tuna can that serves as a rain gauge.
Very happy that I decided not to venture forth last night.
Accepting one’s limitations is part of middle age; some may call it wisdom, some, risk aversion or even resignation.

Continue reading Bets, Good and Bad