I thought this title would get your attention. I could have also use the word, "sex."
Weather permitting, I like to sit outside, in the shade, in the morning and late afternoon/ evening. I am thinking that I acquired this taste when I lived in Washington. I realize that this is not something that other family members do.
My sister is an avid reader, but sitting outside to read is not something she does. Her husband has a farm/home-on-the-range background and may view the out of doors as a work space. Other family members are outside to barbecue, but not to sit an enjoy the environment.
When I say, "weather permitting," I mean that I could be out in the heat if a fan makes it more comfortable. I can sit there with the mosquitoes buzzing, if my skin is drenched in repellent. This summer, I went to a camping supply place a bought a mosquito netting drape for a cot. I rearranged it around a patio chair and there I sat. My little cocoon was working well until the cat snuck in and almost brought it all down when he tried to escape and could not find the opening. Yes, I was inside with the cat.
However, there comes a time when the fan does not help, and the bugs begin to wear their protective masks. Then it is time to go inside.
I drive around town and see people sitting outside because they do not have A/C. There is a house down the street with three plastic chairs and an old sofa on the porch. There are people that sit outside amidst a clutter of things, scrap lumber, old doors, etc. Others sit outside in orderly settings, yards or porches. I cannot sit in a cluttered setting. As I work on projects around the house, I can easily allow clutter to sneak onto the small patio area. The solution was to enlarge the patio.
The original space was approximate 9 ft X 11 ft. when I added a storage shed to the space I lost some space. I added the storage units that I brought from Washington and I lost more space. I am now adding an unknown amount of sq. ft. The space will allow me to sit under the ebony tree that drops leaves and pods or to sit under an umbrella or in the open. Others in my family have told me that they would cut the tree without a second thought. When I weigh the tree dropping vs. the shade it provides all day, the tree stays. The tree had been on the property almost from day one, in 1925.
Here are some pix of the work in progress. I hope to finish the project before the end of the week.
The supports have yet to be painted. The items on the left are new storage.
The object at the forefront of the picture is the end-point. I think I am doubling the original space. This will allow me open space or under the tree.
The Tree. When you consider the heat of summer, having a shady spot all day long is not to be taken lightly. Yes, all of those pods and seed have to go somewhere, but it is a small price to pay.
The outside of the patio area is planted. I was surprised to see that the iris bulbs and the geranium that I brought from WA have survived. The pots have geranium, bougainvillea, and hibiscus. The green and white are "mother-in-law-tongue" plants.
The iron structure was formerly a porch railing. When I arrived from WA, my brother-in-law told me someone had given this to him, but that he did not have any plans for it. If I could use it, he would let me have it. It took me a couple of weeks to find this use for it.
I finally got some color on the property. With regular watering some old Morning Glory seeds and some seeds I brought from WA showed their color. The bougainvillea blooms are on a large plant by the back fence.
Until next time.
Joe
