Thursday, November 15, 2012

Frost and fabric

Sunday (the 11th) was very warm (nearly 70) so I spent 9 hours outside on projects.  I emptied rainbarrels, replaced barrel downspout feeds for winter overflows, took down/cleaned/brought in the wall fountains, topped off the current compost pile and made ready for winter kitchen scraps, picked up all the branches blown down during the 5-day storm and *pant* spent 3 hours mowing the lawns.

Cold and frosty this a.m. - (note 20F on thermometer)

Another time consuming chore was re-installing my fabric privacy fence that Sandy (between the front and Sandy 6 days of rain = 5.3") pretty much beat up.    Since everything was down, I replaced the knotted cotton rope (which was rotting) with cable and clamps.  Then I rehung the landscape fabric.

The exposure was really bothering me and was uncomfortable that the inside of the garage, the turnaround, the deck and the sunroom was no longer private.  I'm just going to have to bite the bullet next year and have a solid fence installed along that line.

Tuesday we got soaked with 3/4" of rain then temps tumbled into the 30s/20s. Today, though, starts a string of sunny (if cool) days, so, hopefully, I'll get to the last of the leaves.  Those sweet gums sure take their time shedding.  As you can see in the frost pic, there's still a lot left up on those limbs.

I'll be very glad when clean up is done and I can retreat into the house for the season.   I'm so tired.  And even though today is Thursday, my lower back has yet to recover from my Sunday chores! And that is frustrating (and painful).  At least I've regained my back-of-the-house privacy.  I can now enjoy sitting on the deck with a nice glass of cider during this pleasant spell of weather. :-D

10 comments:

  1. Always nice to get chores checked off the list. I agree with you on the privacy issue--that is priority #1 around here.

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    1. Usually checking things off lists is satisfying - but I'm not feeling the joy these days. I think I'm tired AND depressed. But, yeah, privacy IS #1 around here, too. :-D

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  2. Back pain slows you down and drains the energy levels. Your garden has great looking structure even if it is in the declining fall weather. I hope you get dried out soon.

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    1. Actually, Larry, we ARE dry. The 5.3" soaked in over 6 days - not even making puddles in the lawn. The 3/4" on Tuesday went the same route. Even the leaves on the lawn are back to super crisp. Talk about a good couple of soakers! :-D

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  3. You know, we've all had such a bad year, I think we are ALL tired and disheartened. If every year continues to be like the last two, at some point I will quit trying to garden and take up gossip, or something.... Hang in there. Hugs, Ilene

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    1. I think you're right, Ilene. What with climate change and it's mounting disastrous weather, the global fiscal crisis, and counterproductive governments, it's like being in a blender. We've got to stick together and support each other more than ever, else it will all fall apart on us. Hanging in there....

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  4. You should live out in the country; our clean up consists of bringing in the hummer feeders and bringing in out the hoses....setting up the chicken waterer on the heated thing. And I don't even do most of that!

    I predict the next 4 years better get better or a certain party may never get back in office again whether they are to blame or not.

    We all need to just keep in touch and gripe, gossip, talk about hobbies, etc. God bless blogging and the internet. Don't forget reading. I just picked up two I am looking forward to at the local library. A Sandra Brown mystery, Best Kept Secrets, and Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison. That last is first on my list to read.

    Relax this weekend and think how good that cider will be....in the meantime, a little (or big) glass of wine might be in order!

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    1. I know you have milder winters than we do, Glenda, and sometimes (only sometimes) I envy you that. LOL

      As for parties, BOTH of them are to blame as far as I'm concerned. It's like two fighting gardeners: one insists on fences and raised beds, the other straight-line fields and irrigation. Both of them are totally ignoring the plants. Neither focus on enriching the soil itself and providing a safe and nurturing environment for the INDIVIDUAL to thrive. And, as we all know, as go the individual so goes society.

      We should start a party like THAT!

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  5. My neighborhood would drive you insane. My neighbors are just a few feet away and there is no privacy. Everything you do is on display. I hope your back feels better soon. :o)

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    1. Tammy, I lived in a neighborhood like that before moving here. It was okay until families with wild, delinquent children took over the neighborhood. After that it was a nightmare. So I moved.

      Thanks - my back IS getting better, but it's taking a lot of time for some reason. Doctor said I have vit D deficiency and may not be metabolizing calcium properly. I hope I'm not dealing with some kind of compression fracture. I am taking care with what I do these days, but, cripes, it sure slows up getting things done. *gripe gripe* Thank goodness for cider. ;-D

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