10 March, 2007

S.O.S.*

*Signs of Spring

Some of you reading from other parts of the world may like to see how Spring arrives here. Birds are singing and the daffodils are blooming brightly. For those of you who live here---Don't forget to "spring ahead" tonight before you turn in, Daylight Savings Time returns at 2 AM! I miss that hour already...

Signs of Spring at our home also signals "yardwork", and lots of it! This year yardwork extended to patio work, as well. We have redwood handrails on our patio that are fitted, in sections, into brick columns. For the last five years we've been unhappy with the way they've been installed (which was really no way at all, simply wedged): but we had put off looking at a solution. This Spring, the wood surfaces needed refinishing; since the rails needed to be removed for that process it was time to address the mounting problem head-on. My husband had an idea for creating a redwood cap/plug that could be fitted into the column and receive the rails leaving no gaps and a tight, rigid connection. A prototype was developed: and an assembly-line created. Success! Now we can move on to our next outdoor project; pressure washing the pavers! And so it goes... today I will spread pine needles on the Hosta beds, clean debris from the Fall blooming planters and scrub our patio umbrellas. The birds are singing and the daffodils are blooming brightly! What signals Spring for you?
Signs of Spring; bring it on!!
*whew*
Life is Good!

8 comments:

Sheila said...

I cannot wait for spring...I want to clean my deck and do yard work...ooh...I cannot wait...!

Helen said...

What a clever husband you have! I do envy you going into spring. We are about to 'fall back' into normal time next weekend for autumn. Mind you here the weather for the last 6 weeks has been 'indian summer'. We are having the summer we didn't have in January. School goes back in February and it is always better weather then. You'd think they could move the term times wouldn't you?

watersoul said...

What signals Spring for me is the smell of a Spring rain hitting the pavement...I just love Spring! It's my absolute favorite season. Now if we could just stay in a perpetual Spring/Fall cycle, all would be good..

meggie said...

Daffodils, & indeed all spring bulbs, to me, are miracles of nature. Those ugly little bulbs produce the miracle blooms, & they almost make me cry, with their beauty! Life's Free Treats.

You husband is very clever, love his solution to your formerly ugly rails! If only we could waterblast our pavers!!

Angie said...

I have such a hard time adjusting to these time changes...but I love Spring, and I'm soooo ready for warmer weather and dirt therapy! Could you hubby come pressure wash my house, do you think? LOL That's a chore that's on our 'honey-do' list. :)

CONNIE W said...

Spring fever is upon us! Today I heard the sound of a lawnmower somewhere nearby. The warm weather is so welcome and I don't mind giving up an hour during the time switch in trade for the change in weather! :D

Ancestor Collector said...

Oh, I'm so envious of your hubby working outside in short sleeves! Up until yesterday it had been so cold here but we've tempered into the 40's now. Woot!

The rails look wonderful. What a great project and so noticeable. Yur hubby is such an engineering marvel.

I saw my first little daffodil poking its head up on Thursday. They are always my first sign of spring. We still have snow cover so it will be awhile until I can make the rounds of all my flower beds but I can't wait to get out there and dig in the dirt. It becomes a daily discovery once the snow is gone.

We did order a new set of deck furniture yesterday.....now that has to be a sure sign of spring, doesn't it?

Shelina said...

Wow, you got a lot of projects done already. I'm sure you feel a big relief off your shoulders getting something done like that. I like the slution to your railing problem.