The Weekend

As any homeowner knows, maintenance is something that needs to be done.

Whether it's cutting the grass, painting, trimming, weeding or what have you, it's one of the "joys" of home ownership.

Some years back, we decided that we weren't going to paint the place every few years. So we had siding put on.

It looks very nice. It has to be cleaned periodically (funny how the sales guy never mentioned that) but it beats painting.

The deck, however, requires some maintenance from time to time. I do not believe just how much the weather tears up a paint job.

But it does.

So this past Memorial Day weekend, The Missus Herself decreed that the deck would be cleaned, scraped and painted.

Yea verily, so it was done.

Saturday we cleaned and scraped the old paint away (for the most part). A new power washer helped that task along mightily (and will also be of benefit to the cleaning of the aforementioned siding).

Sunday 'twas a late start. We went to church and then had lunch at Panera Bread, a place I am most fond of, painting did not commence until nearly 3 in the afternoon.

We got the railings done, all that white stuff above.

Monday we did the deck floor itself with a product from Behr called "Deckover." It is a very thick paint with a certain amount of grit in it. It's almost like no-skid.

So the floor was painted. Upon completion, The Missus Herself declared that veggies would be grilled and consumed with couscous and shrimp (one of the Sarge's favorite meals).

All hands retired to the fantail, er, backyard, where veggies were grilled and adult beverages were consumed. (What veggies you ask? Well, there were leeks and red onion, zucchini and red bell peppers, all having been liberally doused with garlic and olive oil. Most delicious I must say!)

While partaking of an Old Brown Dog (from Smuttynose Brewery, up New Hampshire way), I tipped my drink to the West, the North, the East, to the South and then to the Heavens, I then thanked those who gave their lives so that I might enjoy my freedoms.

The men and women who gave the last full measure of devotion to these United States of America are never far from my thoughts.

For me, it was an excellent weekend.

I owe so much, to so many.

Yes, I'm blessed...