On the cusp of another July/August transition, it is not the ideal time to do yard chores and outdoor projects. Never-the-less, not to be totally daunted by the high humidity and the searing sun raising the stakes at around 100 degrees; there comes a time when things just gotta get takin' care of.
Inspired by my wife's intensity to drastically trim back the "Green Monster" (not the left field wall in Fenway Park), a Lady Banks Rose bush that I mistakenly planted along the driveway with the expectation that it would fill-in nice greenery between the pickets in our iron fence. It quickly took over a third of the driveway's width and extended its long green tentacle canes for 8 or 10 feet upward; leaving just a thicket of deadwood along the fence and bustling at the top with Little Shop of Horrors our-of-control greenery. Over several days Sue clipped nearly every last one of those green canes and all of the deadwood on evenings, mornings and on her days off. We hauled a brush pile estimated to be over 500 pounds to the curb for the city to take away. With the taming of the rose, she suggests it's my turn to do some of the needed yard work.
First up - those rusted off welds on some of the iron pickets means that the pickets are no longer firmly attached to horizontal cross pieces, which in turn means that our clatter of tortoises or any guest dogs [see A Wedding Wrapped in a Circus with a Silver Lining, 11/10/2018] are capable of finding a weakness in the perimeter and disappearing into the Texas sunset. When discovered, these loose pickets had been secured by electrical tape and baling wire. A more permanent solution is required, and that involves drilling a 1/8" hole through the iron picket and crossbar and securing them with a #10, 2" bolt and a nut. I broke all 5 of my 1/8" drill bits on this project. A hop over to Home Depot to replenish my wood drill bits allowed me to encounter a specifically designed 1/8" metal drill bit. It worked like a charm. Pouring sweat in the noonday sun, I threaded the last bolt through my slickly drilled holes and the job is finished.
One more top item on the summer honey-dos, refurbish the mailbox. It has stood in front of our house through sizzling heat and cobblestone ice, through dusty drought and furious flood and it was more than beginning to show the effects. A new wire brush to work off some of the rust and a can of shiny black Rustoleum spray paint and I think I can upgrade the curb appeal to ol' 2725 in no time. Only problem, Home Despot has had a run on the supply of adhesive numeral 2. Dang, I'll need four of those number 2's. I go next door to Lowe's, and they have enough adhesive numerals to sponsor Sesame Street for a fortnight.
Reading the spray paint instructions on the label, I am advised "not to use in humidity above 55% or in temperature conditions between 40 and 90 degrees (F). Ha!! Might as well say, "Do Not Use In Texas In Months That Do Not Contain the Letter "R"! I'm a rebel and I have a to-do list in this damnable heat and humidity; neither rain, nor snow, gloom of night nor heat and humidity will stop stay me from my appointed rounds. The US Mailbox will be refurbished!
This is a project that one can not just mail it in. You have to be committed.
[Now, if I pass out from heat stroke, the ambulance will be able to find the address of our house]
Inspired by my wife's intensity to drastically trim back the "Green Monster" (not the left field wall in Fenway Park), a Lady Banks Rose bush that I mistakenly planted along the driveway with the expectation that it would fill-in nice greenery between the pickets in our iron fence. It quickly took over a third of the driveway's width and extended its long green tentacle canes for 8 or 10 feet upward; leaving just a thicket of deadwood along the fence and bustling at the top with Little Shop of Horrors our-of-control greenery. Over several days Sue clipped nearly every last one of those green canes and all of the deadwood on evenings, mornings and on her days off. We hauled a brush pile estimated to be over 500 pounds to the curb for the city to take away. With the taming of the rose, she suggests it's my turn to do some of the needed yard work.
First up - those rusted off welds on some of the iron pickets means that the pickets are no longer firmly attached to horizontal cross pieces, which in turn means that our clatter of tortoises or any guest dogs [see A Wedding Wrapped in a Circus with a Silver Lining, 11/10/2018] are capable of finding a weakness in the perimeter and disappearing into the Texas sunset. When discovered, these loose pickets had been secured by electrical tape and baling wire. A more permanent solution is required, and that involves drilling a 1/8" hole through the iron picket and crossbar and securing them with a #10, 2" bolt and a nut. I broke all 5 of my 1/8" drill bits on this project. A hop over to Home Depot to replenish my wood drill bits allowed me to encounter a specifically designed 1/8" metal drill bit. It worked like a charm. Pouring sweat in the noonday sun, I threaded the last bolt through my slickly drilled holes and the job is finished.
One more top item on the summer honey-dos, refurbish the mailbox. It has stood in front of our house through sizzling heat and cobblestone ice, through dusty drought and furious flood and it was more than beginning to show the effects. A new wire brush to work off some of the rust and a can of shiny black Rustoleum spray paint and I think I can upgrade the curb appeal to ol' 2725 in no time. Only problem, Home Despot has had a run on the supply of adhesive numeral 2. Dang, I'll need four of those number 2's. I go next door to Lowe's, and they have enough adhesive numerals to sponsor Sesame Street for a fortnight.
Reading the spray paint instructions on the label, I am advised "not to use in humidity above 55% or in temperature conditions between 40 and 90 degrees (F). Ha!! Might as well say, "Do Not Use In Texas In Months That Do Not Contain the Letter "R"! I'm a rebel and I have a to-do list in this damnable heat and humidity; neither rain, nor snow, gloom of night nor heat and humidity will stop stay me from my appointed rounds. The US Mailbox will be refurbished!
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| BEFORE |
This is a project that one can not just mail it in. You have to be committed.
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| AFTER |
