Endless Stacking

Yesterday was warm from the get-go. I was up at 4:20 and it was already 15°. It’s become my habit to start every day with a spa. It’s so quiet and still in the mornings. It’s a lovely time of day to lay back and soak in the silence.

Once I was ready to start my day, I was outside watering the beds that I didn’t water on Wednesday. When that was done, I lay 2X4s down on the shed floor on edge so that there was lots of air circulating around the wood. I also kept the first row several inches away from the back wall. And then I started stacking.

I didn’t get too far (three barrow loads) before it was time to go to Claire’s studio to pick up the third yellow cedar bowl for Ash and Alex’s wedding. And then I took Her Highness for a short walk before going to Pete’s to see where he wanted me to water while he and Ali are away. After that, it was time for lunch and then, finally, I got back to work stacking wood. I was glad to have the rest of the day to stack.

After working for about an hour, Sarah and Grey came over to help me. Sara is next door neighbours’ Dave and Ursula’s, daughter; Grey is er Costa Rican husband. That made quite a difference in our progress, but it also meant that I would not take breaks. I couldn’t have them working if I wasn’t, so I really busted my butt yesterday.

I was sun baked by 14:00. It was 21°, far too hot for lifting and toting wood. Today, I’ll focus on working in the morning when it’s cool, and I’ll water in the afternoon. That’ll be my plan for both days of the weekend as well. It’s exhausting work, but wearing my back brace belt is a godsend. It almost eliminates my back pain.

Thankfully, I’m in no hurry and the eternal sunshine means I have lots of time to get all the wood under cover. I’m not racing to get it done before rain is due to fall. It’s hard work for an old man, but I shall persevere. Working alone, I can take a rest when I feel I need it. As I worked yesterday, I kept thinking about how good it would feel to get onto the chaise at the end of the day, and rot in front of the telly.

Once I was rested after quitting stacking, Her Highness and I went for a walk. We didn’t go for a long one because it was just too hot for both of us. Plus, my bone spur foot was killing me. Now is when the coolness of the house is a blessing and not a curse. Both of us had a nice cool rest before we walked, and when we got home, I felt like the living dead.

The evening was as usual, but bedtime came early. 

This was what was accomplished yesterday. I only ad the afternoon
to work as chores kept my busy in the morning.

This is what's left to do. I shall be busy all day!

Big forgeous blood-red Poppies at Pete and Ali's place.

Found on a trail.

Tiny Daisies cover the ground. They are hard to see here,
but it is a beautiful sight in the forest.

The Wild Roses are out everywhere and they have
a lovely sweet smell.

The entrance to a trail we walk often is a bower of Roses.

Roses cover the island. They grow everywere!