Down Time

Down time: Well, only in comparison to our normal schedule. Our weekends are still busy, but the jobs are not individually very big.

Take the skunk fence, as Pam calls it. This was an additional section of fence that I installed to help close off the back yard. The job took a few hours, including applying the wood preservative.

Jer applying wood preservative to the fence

The task was complicated a bit by the addition of a gate-with-hinges at the left-hand end of the section so we can access the areas behind the garage. The job took most of a morning.

Then there was getting the RV’s water system winterized. (This requires an RV specific antifreeze, not auto antifreeze.) That was the last RV-related chore; the RV is pretty well set for the winter. The solar panel is set up and keeping the batteries charged so I should not have to pull the batteries for winter storage.

I cut up the rest of the fire pit wood, put the snow blade on the John Deere lawn tractor, did a lot of leaf raking and mulching, cleaned out and organized the steel storage shed for the winter, and put new seals in the bathroom shower faucets. Each job in itself was not large, but in total it kept me busy every weekend.

I’ve also been keeping our snow-bird neighbor’s yard raked in return for letting us park the RV behind a fenced enclosure. This is a big job that takes some time every weekend. Pam took this photo of me working in that yard; you can see The Box in the background.

lots of leaves

Pam helps with most of these jobs plus has her own additional chores around the house. Her weekends are as busy as mine. She is researching Colorado retirement houses for us to look at; tomorrow we will be heading out to look at a few properties.

The high desert had a snow/slush morning the other day and there was some accumulating snow on the grass at our work location (Glenwood Springs). The snow has since melted but night time temps have dropped below 20 degrees and the furnace has been running regularly the last few nights. Winter is fast approaching and we are attempting to get all outside tasks done before the snow arrives in earnest. Other than more raking/mulching – a task that will continue for a few more weeks – I think we’re done. There are other small jobs to do that are not weather dependent (such as cleaning the garage and collecting my scrap metal to take to the recycle center), but these tasks can be done evenings and weekends at my leisure.

That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!

Pam’s Two Cents Worth:

A parcel arrived with items for my upcoming birthday.  My childhood/high school/adult friend Mary so thoughtfully sent along something to help me get through the long winter nights ahead.

Pam’s birthday book front cover

Back cover

Cat hair is certainly not in short supply around here.  Reminds me of “Trump Your Cat.”

Happy Trails.