Porch work

Every day is a work day around my house. I can't remember the last time, outside of the time when my kids were here in July and we took a day trip into the city, that I took a day off. Feels like weeks of labor under my belt, but I am not complaining as it shows. Every day is new project done and out of the way and that is a good feeling, no doubt about it.

I keep a "things to do" list going in the cottage, hit it first thing in the morning after I get my coffee water going. Check off things that I hit the day before that I might have missed, add few new items, strike others from the list. It would be daunting to try to remember all the tasks to get done if I didn't have this system going every day. Years ago, when I was in the navy, I would carry around a small spiral bound notebook in my pocket. Kept me abreast of the day's duties, somewhat like "quarters" did for the division in the morning. We all need to keep a list handy just to help keep us abreast of the day's activities. My list told me that today had an "about time" item on it. I had to finish the painting the porch railing. The weather was right and the mood for the job was perfect.

Stood outside and knocked out the job as the rest of Port Orchard went downtown to lend a hand to painting the town, well, if not red, at least other nifty shades. I figured to make PO prettier one house at a time, even if that house was mine. Took care of lot's of other things, too. Oiled cabinets, painted the basement door, unloaded a bookcase. Prepped supper. Stuff got done.

While I was on that porch I was reminded of the summer I took off almost seven years ago. Took more than a summer off, spent six months working on the house, building up a business, goofing, searching for work. Landed a job right here in the county, which was a different place altogether different than where we had expected to land at the end of that six months. I learned a valuable lesson that summer, far more valuable than the ones that helped me build a trellis, a shower stall, slap up dry wall and build a porch. I learned that you should always expect the unexpected. Learn to appreciate what you have in front of you, and more, don't bet on the bird in the bush, take the one in the hand anytime. But also to watch that bird, as they can bite.

So, I took on that porch job today and did all but paint the door trim. Wasn't on the list and so it didn't count. But you can bet it will be on the list tomorrow morning. One more thing to brighten up this little house of mine. One more thing that will help to put the ghosts to rest. One more thing that help me get a bit closer to my children.

Check off that porch railing paint assignment. On to other things.

Salud!