Around the house

August 5th is "Work Like a Dog Day." That's a funny expression in this neighborhood, where the dogs are treated like cherished children. With so many people working from home now, the pets hit the jackpot. 

We haven't exactly been working like dogs, but with nowhere to go all summer, we've certainly done more projects than usual around the homestead.

The summer weather in Seattle makes working outside downright pleasant-- low humidity and high temperatures of only 80 (or so) by late afternoon. The mornings are already darker and cooler.  No pesky insects to speak of, unless you're unlucky enough to blunder upon a yellow jacket nest, like my poor brother Dave.

In general, August is a splendid month here. I painted the deck and front porch steps last week, so now it's ready for the new railing installation soon.

The wood siding on this house is old-growth, perfectly clear Northwest fir, 100 years old. Such lumber does not exist anymore, and of course they don't "make" siding like that. The house was built around 1915, which is pretty amazing in itself. But time takes its toll, as they say, and the boards on the weathered west and south sides really show their age.  

John filled the most egregious cracks with wood putty, primed and then painted with good quality blue house paint, which covers a multitude of sins. I should have taken a close-up "before" picture, and you would see what I mean.

Old house upkeep isn't for everyone. Unless you can "let go" and pick some reasonable place to stop, you'll be filling and sanding and painting one section for the rest of your life. Our neighbor is cursed with perfectionism, and I've watched him spend an entire summer on a single window.

Perfection exists on programs like "This Old House" where time and money are of no issue. This neighbor also cuts his massive laurel hedge one leaf at a time.  OK, enough! I obviously have too much time on my hands, snooping on neighbors.

To make a long story short, I think our professional painter son-in-law would approve of John's work.