Charlie and I took 10 days out of the middle of the month to celebrate our wedding anniversary while traveling so I had to really get busy with the rest of my to-do list in the remaining 20 days.

We left Baltimore on our cruise to Canada which took us under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Here’s what I (we) did in addition to the numbered list:

• Had the oil changed in my car.
  

  I even sprang for a new license plate from a local charity.

• Had the piano professionally tuned for the first time since we moved.
  

  A pleasure to listen to — even the low notes.

• Started talking to a kitchen designer.
  

  I’m planning to use the same person who designed our last kitchen.

• Attended a bluegrass concert while it poured down rain.
  

  Hammer Creek Bluegrass Band from Lancaster, PA

• Went birding with an expert ornithologist at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. (#12 of 101 in 1001 list)
  

  Our guide carried equipment to help us “see” better.

• Continued staining the outside of the house.  We’re onto the detailed work now.  This side made the front seem easy.
  

  From this.

  

  To this.

My ambitious numbered list for September follows:

1.  Cruise to Canada to watch whales.  (#59 on previous 101 in 1001 list and #68  on my current list)  We saw whales, porpoises, and seals in the Bay of Fundy from the port of St. Andrew in New Brunswick, Canada. I have no photos of the animals; I just enjoyed the experience.
   

   We sailed on a small boat from St. Andrew’s harbor into the Bay of Fundy for an opportunity to see whales.

2.   Work on 2026 travel. (#19 on 101 in 1001 list) Here are our plans with an added adventure that I’ll blog about later.
   

   We may have been bitten by the cruise bug.

3.   Shampoo rugs. (#28 on 101 in 1001 list)  I shampooed all the rugs on the first floor.  Whew, more of a project than I thought.
   

   All 5 of the first floor rugs have been shampooed

4.   Research slipcover makers. Since my chairs will have to go to the workroom of whomever I select I started close to home with local upholsterers.  I plan to continue looking by talking to friends and neighbors who might know a seamstress or tailor that will take on the job.  Last resort — I’ll do it myself.
   

   These chairs were always slipcovered when I was growing up.

5.   Unpack 3 boxes.  I needed to make room for the things I took from the pantry so we can gut the kitchen. I actually emptied a bunch of boxes and added storage on the garage wall.
   

   I hung a cabinet near the garage door and emptied a box of lubricants and cleaners into it.

6.   Take boxes out of pantry.  I put some in the garage and some in the downstairs bedroom.
   

   From the pantry heading to the garage.

7.    No sugar or sweets for 7 days.  I started strong in the very beginning of the month so I could have a rich dessert everyday on our cruise to Canada.
   

   So many choices – so little time. I never chose the healthy option from the bottom row!

   Both actions were successful.

8.    Move DR chest of drawers to first floor bedroom. I cleared out this chest of drawers, installed drawer liners, fixed the doors (which were falling off), and moved it to the downstairs bedroom.  Not as pretty but more functional.
   

   From this.

   

   To this.

9.   Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: POISE.
10.  Write a goal list for October, 2025.

Jo

Charlie and I plan to be really busy in September.  We’ll continue with the large tasks we’ve started (staining the house) and with enjoying our Maryland seafood while the warm weather keeps the supply going.

I’m working on a better layout for the kitchen floor plan.

Then we’re going to start gutting the kitchen which will be totally redesigned.

We added a few new perennials in August some of which are already blooming.

My ambitious numbered list for September follows:

1.  Cruise to Canada to watch whales.  (#59  on previous 101 in 1001 list and #68 on new 101 in 1001)
   

   The humpback whale is the most prevalent species in eastern Canada at that time of year.

2.   Work on 2026 travel plans. (#19 on 101 in 1001 list)
   

   We’re already scheduled to cruise to Norway to go dogsledding.

3.   Shampoo rugs. (#28 on 101 in 1001 list)
   

   The living room rug has had a lot of traffic since we moved in last March.

4.   Research local slipcover makers.
   

   I would like to have this chair and its twin slipcovered.

5.   Unpack 3 boxes.
   

   I still have boxes in the garage that need to be unpacked.

6.   Take boxes out of pantry.
   

   We’ll be emptying and removing these pantries for the kitchen makeover.

7.    No sugar or sweets for 7 days.
   

   I’ve been indulging in way too many sugary foods this summer.

8.    Move DR chest of drawers to first floor bedroom.
   

   The oak dresser I bought in Greenwich Village (NYC) in 1977 is moving from the dining room to the downstairs bedroom.

9.   Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: POISE.
10.  Write a goal list for October, 2025.

Jo

August was a month of getting things done.  The hot weather decreased and the biting flies showed up.

Charlie catches them, steams them, and serves them up.

The crabs were running and so were the stinging sea nettles.

My photo of a sea nettle under the surface of the water. (The darker area is a shadow from my camera.)

In addition to the preplanned numbered list below I (we):

• finally got Dash his new license at the city office.
  

  Dashie proudly wears his tags — I think he likes the jingle jangle.

• worked on the foundation planting at the front of the house with new perennial plants.
  

  We added a few new perennials in August which I’m hoping will take hold in September.

• hung new house numbers.
  

  I used 3-D posts and a modern font for the new numbers.

• went to some free outdoor concerts including the U.S. Navy Sea Chanters — always good.
  

  The Sea Chanters — one of my favorite service music groups.

• attended a Night Sky Tour at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge. (#13 on my 101 in 1001 list)
•  replaced rotten wood under the front door.
  

  Rotten wood replaced.

I started working on the numbered list early in the month.  Mostly the chores were both fun and satisfying.  Staining the house was very satisfying however not so much fun.

1.  Organize house papers.  Now if there is an issue everything is in one box. Such a bore but it’s done!
2.  Get Canada cruise documents together.  I have a completed folder of everything we need to travel.  At the same time I purged the papers from Turkey and Greece.
   

   We’ll be traveling on Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas.

3. Transplant orchids.  I got busy at the beginning of the month and transplanted my large old orchids. (#100 of 101 in 1001 list)
   

   I kept only the best roots.

4.  Work on a paint project.  We made a lot of progress on the house stain in August.
   

   Before

   

   After

5. Picnic on the sandbar.  While I made it out to the sandbar in our kayak the only picnicking was done by birds — blue heron, egret, geese, gulls.
   

   Honestly, I love being on the water.

   I’ll need a better boat (with a sail or motor) if I want to actually stop for lunch.

6.  Write handwritten notes to friends. I wrote letters on my personalized paper to connect and encourage and congratulate. (#4 of 101 in 1001 list)
7.  Clean car headlights. The headlight clarity, while not perfect, is greatly improved.  (#88 of 101 in 1001 list)
   

   Before and after

8.  Work on Christmas gifts.  I have some good ideas which I have listed in my Christmas document — I’ll start buying soon.
9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: SELF-DISCIPLINE.
10.  Write a goal list for September, 2025.

Jo

We’ll be busy in August — driving to the western side of the bay for work, entertaining family, continuing house projects.

Dash uncomfortably positions himself between table legs then gives me the “side-eye”.

Dash will no doubt continue to be his cheeky self reminding us over and over that August is National Dog Month.

We haven’t used our deck yet this summer due to the heat and humidity and bugs — even in the cool(er) of the evening.

I’ve tried to keep my numbered list as cool as possible with projects and tasks that can be done inside in the AC. This is what I’m attempting to complete in August:

1.  Organize house papers.
2.  Get Canada cruise documents together.
   

   We’ll be traveling on Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas which often passes by our house.

3. Transplant orchids.
   

   I haven’t tended my orchids since 2017. They need a little help.

4.  Work on a paint project.  The paint project which we began in June and hope to finish before the end of the year is staining the exterior walls of the house.
   

   Hoping to continue making progress.

5. Picnic on the sandbar.
   

   The sandbar is not too far from our dock.

6.  Write handwritten notes to friends.
7.  Clean car headlights.
   

   My car headlights are decidedly foggy.

8.  Work on Christmas gifts.
   

   Hoping to be prepared this year.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: SELF-DISCIPLINE.
10.  Write a goal list for September, 2025.

Jo

We have owned The Landing for a full year in July.  In that time we have made some improvements but mostly enjoyed a totally new living experience.

Backyard at The Glade

Backyard at The Landing

For the preceding 27 years I had lived in a clearing in the woods.  Now we live on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.

Choptank River near Suicide Bridge (uh huh!).

In addition to the numbered list below I (we):

• fashioned a backsplash over the sink in the downstairs bathroom.
  

  The acrylic covers wallpaper to form a protective backsplash.

• added a few conveniences to the outdoor shower.
  

  I attached an inconspicuous soap dish and holders for toiletry items to the railing.

• put a battery operated light in the primary bathroom to light up the dark shower stall.
  

  The shower stall is still sub-par but the illumination is very much improved.

• caught 2 7 marsh rice rats that had made their way into the house.  Apparently they really like dog food.
  

  This fellow did a lot of damage including a 5-inch hole in the pantry wall.

•  hung 3 ladders on the side of the shed.
  

  I have more ladders so I’ll probably hang another pair of hooks.

• hung a small cabinet in the laundry room to hold my irons near the ironing board.
  

  This cabinet used to hang in the coffee bar of our previous residence.

• hung a charging station for a new vacuum cleaner.  The old one conked out.
  

  I hope this is convenient but out of the way.

• went on a riverboat cruise on the Choptank River.
  

  An hour and a half on the Dorothy-Megan sailing the Choptank River.

Here’s what I did in July:

1.  Attend pony penning in Chincoteague.
   

   Wild ponies after their swim from Assateague to Chincoteague.

2.  Work on and finalize new 101 in 1001 list — number 7.  I have prepared the new 101 in 1001 list and will post it on Day 1 — August 2, 2025.
3.  Hang some art on walls.
   

   Horse training at the track in the misty morning — in the laundry.

4.  Work on a paint project.  The paint project which we began in June and hope to finish before the end of the year is staining the exterior walls of the house.
   

   Our new house color is Federal Blue stain by Cabot.

5. Arrange kitchen items — pots and pans, coffee grinder, broken espresso machine, etc. — in garage.  I have arranged all excess kitchen items in the same area in the garage so when we’re ready to gut the kitchen we’ll have a place to cook.
6.  Pay real estate taxes.  I paid the taxes in person in the downtown office where I was also supposed to get a dog license.  They’re not in yet for this year.
7.  Work on light weight training routine. Doctor’s orders. I started using this workout 3 times per week because it’s osteoporosis friendly with no moves that involve twisting the spine or rounding the spine.
8.  Arrange shoes and clothes in closets.  I arranged the seasonal shoes toward the front and cleaned and folded my sweaters along with moth deterrent scents.
   

   My seaters are cleaned, folded, and laced with lavender.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: DISCOVER.
10.  Write a goal list for August, 2025.

Jo

July in Maryland is always HOT and HUMID! Thankfully we have air conditioning in the house and there’s usually a nice breeze coming off the water.

Captain Mustafa and Jo — sailing buddies in Egypt. This is my attire for hot and sunny days.

I stay out of the midday sun when I can and otherwise I wear sunscreen, long pants, long sleeves, a hat, and dark sunglasses.  I have been burnt too many times as a young person to risk that aggravation and pain anymore.

We can count on Dash to dress up for a holiday celebration — Independence Day this July 4th.

Here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish in July:

1.  Attend pony penning in Chincoteague.
   

   Assateague Island ponies will swim to Chincoteague and be auctioned.

2.  Work on and finalize new 101 in 1001 list — number 7.
3.  Hang some art on walls.
   

   I loved the gallery wall in our previous home.

4.  Work on a paint project.
5. Arrange kitchen items — pots and pans, coffee grinder, broken espresso machine, etc. — in garage.
6.  Pay real estate taxes.
   

   There’s an annual price to pay for this idyllic property.

7.  Work on light weight training routine. Doctor’s orders.
8.  Arrange shoes and clothes in closets.
   

   My shoes are boxed I just have to decide which pairs to keep where.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: DISCOVER.
10.  Write a goal list for August, 2025.

Jo

June was a lovely and really hot month.  We kept busy and finally saw progress in projects we had been planning.

The downstairs bathroom is now ready for use.

In addition to the numbered list below I (we):

• pulled out the deck furniture which was in disrepair since our move.  I cleaned it as best I could and will upgrade the paint in the near future.
  

  We need to brighten this dark decking with cushions and an outdoor rug.

• put an outdoor rug on the back deck.
  

  The bright rug will keep the dark deck cooler underfoot.

• bought stain so Charlie could zhuzh up the outside of his shed.  Nothing makes a magical difference for a reasonable price like paint (or stain).
  

  Charlie is eager to get the shed fully stained.

• hung shelves in the garage.
  

  I’m sure the shelves will fill up quickly.

• installed a light in the downstairs bedroom.
  

  The new light looks good from the adjacent bathroom.

• had an outdoor shower installed.  I’ve been using it every hot day after working outside.  Aaahh.
  

  I’m hoping this shower saves a lot of dirt from entering the house.

• put bluestone slabs (that we brought from our former residence) under the outdoor shower.
  

  We made sure the pitch was diagonally away from the house.

• had the water hydrant in the marsh put into working order. 
• installed new lights in the primary bathroom.
  

  The original lighting the primary bathroom.

  

  The first improvement to the primary bathroom.

• put stair carpet treads (for less than $50) on the only staircase in the house which has alleviated a lot of the dust and dog hair that had been falling on the piano.
  

  Growling Linen Stair Treads for Wooden Steps  30×8 inch, 15pcs Upgraded Self Adhesive Backing Non Slip Stair Step Treads(Beige)

• welcomed Charlie’s mother for an extended stay.  (Now you know why I got busy on the downstairs ensuite.)
  

  Ready for guests.

Here’s what I had hoped to accomplish in June:

1.  Clean the siding on the house to get ready for stain.  Early in the month I began using sprayed on cleaner to prepare the walls for stain.
   

   Here’s where I started.

2.  Arrange all paint supplies in garage.  After putting in new shelves I had the chance to rearrange things on the floor.  The paint is now piled up in front of the water pump in the garage.
   

   All paint supplies are now in one place.

   My paint supplies — rollers, brushes, sprayers, etc. –are also newly organized and stored near the paint.

3.  Take Dashie to the vet for annual shots and check-up.  He was a trooper so Charlie took him out for a kayak exploration.
   

   Captain Dash and Charlie, his designated Paddler, 1st Class.

4.  Get rid of 3 boxes of old papers.  I told Charlie my old bank records needed to be shredded or burned.
   

   One banker box of old statements creates a wheelbarrow full of ashes.

   He fired up the fire pit and burned them all. Yippee!!

5.  Do something fun.  Charlie and I headed to Cambridge (Maryland) city center especially to visit the Choptank River Lighthouse.
   

   The Choptank River Lighthouse is a replica of a six-sided screw-pile lighthouse that guided mariners along the Choptank River for generations.

6.  Begin purchasing items for kitchen renovation.  I am seriously thinking about replacing the kitchen in late fall or early next year.  While I haven’t actually purchased anything yet I am arranging the details both in my mind and on paper.
   

   This stove is not up to much cooking.

   I’m also researching installers and appliances.

7.  Make hanging areas for chairs in garage. Finished early in the month.
   

   The chairs are hanging to the right of the fire extinguisher.

8.  Clear kitchen counters.
   

   Only necessary and decorative items remain — however any clean horizontal surface is a target for more clutter. (See here for before photo.)

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: PROGRESS .
10.  Write a goal list for July, 2025.

Jo

It was a year ago at the end of June that we closed on The Landing.

The dock.

We have enjoyed the view and the lifestyle in this community of folks who depend upon the water for a living.

The downstairs bathroom rehab was started the last week of April and it’s almost ready for guests.

However, we have had to make many costly improvements to this 1991 post and beam house not to mention the projects that we took on ourselves.

We’ve started painting the shed.

Here’s what I’m hoping to accomplish in June:

1.  Clean the siding on the house to get ready for stain.
   

   Our siding is a bland camel color.

2.  Arrange all paint supplies in garage.
   

   I love having a garage but our clutter is overwhelming.

3.  Take Dashie to the vet for annual shots and check-up.
   

   Dash is usually pretty well-behaved at the vet.

4.  Get rid of 3 boxes of old papers.
5.  Do something fun.
6.  Hang shelves in garage.
   

   I’ll be reusing the lumber I removed from the closet in the downstairs bedroom.

7.  Make hanging areas for chairs in garage.
   

   I need a convenient place to hang these chairs.

8.  Clear kitchen counters.
   

   I clear off the counters then it happens again.

9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: PROGRESS .
10.  Write a goal list for July, 2025.

Jo