Staining the House: The Tricky Parts

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When we began staining the house in June I was hoping we’d finish the job before the end of the year.  I still hope so.

The front is finished except for a few touch-ups to thoroughly hide the previous color.

By the end of August we have stained the front of the formerly peach (apricot, salmon?) exterior walls of the house.

Charlie on the extension ladder.

The western wall is finished.

We began on the western facing wall — the part you can see from the street — which is finished.

The house color is Cabot’s Federal Blue and the shed is Spruce Blue.

Then we moved around to the north side — the garage and front entrance — 2 stories of fun.

I can climb an extension ladder but I can’t move it.

I stain the lower areas and Charlie works from an extension ladder and hits the highest parts of the walls.

The southwestern corner of the house is difficult to access.

We plan to start working on the tricky spaces.

I have a special technique for behind the air conditioners.

Lots of ins and outs.

Behind the air conditioners, on the bedroom decks and niches.

We may only be half finished but now we have some experience staining this wood siding.

Finally, we have to stain the tallest part of the house.  The front walls are actually the lowest.

Now the neighbors see an all blue house — they have admired it.

Thus far I am happy with the project.

Jo

 

August, 2025: Score

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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

Rotten

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While we were staining the house we discovered that the wood siding under the front door was mostly rotten.

The wood under the doorstep was dark and mushy.

My first inclination was to stain it and fix it later.

The stained area under the step needed to come out.

But when we finished staining most of the front of the house Charlie decided we should replace the wood.

We were happy to discover that the deck board next to the house had not been screwed nor nailed into place — it just popped out with the encouragement of a crow bar.

Charlie removed the old rotted wood.  I found some long pieces of replacement siding in the garage which I stained the house color.  Pre-staining meant I would only need to touch up under the door after the application.

The tongue-and-groove siding needed to be fitted one piece at a time.

Charlie cut 7.5-inch length pieces which he applied with a pneumatic tacker.

Dash seems to get satisfaction from supervising every project.

Dash was startled by the air compressor and needed a little comforting while Charlie continued to work.

The boards were lightly tacked into place since they would ultimately be held in with a piece of trim.

The short boards slid just behind the framing for the deck.

The final opening.

The final opening to fill ended up being 2 and a half boards wide.

With a little maneuvering the final piece fit.

Charlie ripped one of the pieces and held it together with two others.  Then he finessed the entire piece into the empty space.

Charlie admired his handiwork.

Just one last item: the piece of trim that goes under the doorstep.

The trim nailed easily into place.

Now we can continue staining the remaining walls.

We’re making progress!

Such a small area — such a big deal! DONE!

Jo

Transplanting Orchids

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When I realized I hadn’t done anything nice for my orchids since 2017 I decided to refresh them.

Orchids bloom for a long time.

They have bloomed and rebloomed since that time.

No apparent flower stems.

Since nothing was blooming recently I thought it a good chance to trim the roots, change the pots, and add new orchid potting chips.

I used Japanese garden shears to cut off all the brown roots.

I pulled out and cut off some rotten roots.  Some of plants had been planted in sphagnum moss — I cut that off too.

Lots of healthy, green roots.

I gave the roots a good drink of water and cleaned off as much of the old potting material as possible.

I moved each plant to a pot slightly larger than the original one.

With only new green roots remaining I replanted the roots into plastic orchid pots with lots of drainage holes.

Now I’m just waiting for a flower stem.

Then I topped off the pots with orchid wood chips.

Jo

Swimming Ponies

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Back in 2020 when Covid-19 was in full swing, Charlie and I visited Assateague Island in Maryland where, among other wonders, we saw the wild ponies.

Assateague Island ponies will swim to Chincoteague and be auctioned.

Each summer these ponies on the Virginia side are rounded up by the local firefighters/cowboys from the Chincoteague fire department.

The ponies swim across Chincoteague Bay (from the lighthouse side to the riprap side).

After being vetted the ponies swim across the channel from Virginia’s Assateague National Seashore to Chincoteague Island.

We enjoyed freshly made ice cream in freshly made cones on our trial run.

We arrived in Chincoteague the day before the 100th annual swim to get the lay of the land, find out where to park, and demystify the shuttle system.

Empty one day and crowded with thousands of people the next.

Overnight we stayed about 45 minutes away in Princess Anne so we could get a really early start and get a good viewing position near the channel where the horses swim.

We arrived before dawn to wait in the marsh for the pony swim.

In the dark we drove to the designated parking lot across from the firehouse where we boarded school buses to be taken to Veterans Memorial Park where the swim can be seen on a jumbotron.

We had been warned in advance to wear shoes we didn’t care about as they might not make through the marsh mud.

Charlie and I decided to walk down to Pony Swim Lane and stand in the marsh for 2 hours while waiting for slack tide when the ponies swim.

Cowboys (actually horse wranglers) were available on both sides of the bay to keep the wild ponies in check.

The fire department provides Saltwater Cowboys to round up the ponies and escort them across the bay.

We could just barely see the ponies before their swim.

Wild ponies after their swim from Assateague to Chincoteague.

The pony swim only takes about 4 minutes and only healthy ponies actually swim.  Very young foals are trailered from Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (CNWR) located on the Virginia portion of Assateague Island.

Before parading to the Carnival Grounds the ponies rest in the marsh on Chincoteague.

Crowds both sides of the road watch the pony parade.

Late in the afternoon after the swim the ponies were corralled with plenty of feed.

Charlie and I walked down to see the ponies corralled and resting before the auction the next day.

The auction was crowded and intense.

After spending 2 days in the company of tens of thousands of people and intense heat we headed home having seen a really special Eastern Shore tradition — 100th Pony Penning on Chincoteague Island.

Jo

August, 2025: Aims

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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

101 in 1001 #7: A Fresh Start

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I have been making 101 tasks in 1001 days lists since 2009.  I have never totally finished one but I have made more progress than I might have done without the list as a guide. Now I am starting on list #7 which begins August 2, 2025 and runs until April 29, 2028.  It’s been difficult coming up with 101 new things to see and do.

In past adventures we ballooned over the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

My 6th list began November 4, 2022 and ran until August 1, 2025. My 5th list began February 6, 2020. It ended on November 3, 2022. Fourth list started May 10, 2017 (first list ended 11/13/2011, second list 8/11/2014, third list 5/9/2017) Black is the color for original post. Completed items are in blue.  Pink items are plans.  Red items are cautions due to the situations out of my control.

  1. Buy a car.

    Betty is still running strong after 10 years but she won’t last forever.

  2. Start taking RMD in 2026.
  3. Visit Wallops Flight facility.

    Charlie and I experienced the last shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral. Hoping to find something exciting at Wallops Island in Virginia.

  4. Send 10 handwritten cards.
  5. Build frame for full length mirror.

    A frame should stabilize this mirror on the back of a bedroom door.

  6. Throw away or donate 30 things and don’t replace them.
  7. Organize trip to a Caribbean island.
  8. Redesign kitchen.

    The kitchen needs a new layout, new cabinets, and new appliances.

  9. Picnic on the sandbar.

    The sandbar is a short boat ride from our dock.

  10. Refinish tall dresser.

    My grandmother’s dresser might look great in navy blue.

  11. Make a photo album of Mommie.
  12. Bird tour at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
  13. Night Sky Tour at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
  14. Refinish green vanity.

    I’m not sure of the direction in which to go but the dressing table is getting dilapidated looking — needs a zhuzh.

  15. Read 30 books.
  16. Attend 5 concerts.
  17. London theatre trip.

    We enjoyed theatre in the West End on our last trip to London.

  18. Tour Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
  19. Go dog sledding.

    I’ve done extensive research on just where to go dogsledding.

  20. Increase net worth by 25%.
  21. Zipline in rainforest.
  22. Parasail or hang glide or skydive.

    This looks like something I would really like — just have to convince Charlie.

  23. Work on side hustle.
  24. NYC/Broadway/Cabaret.

    We haven’t been to NYC since the COVID pandemic.

  25. Visit Morocco.
  26. Take a repositioning trans-Atlantic cruise.
  27. Get rid of 5 big things – furniture, toys, tools

    The oak dresser I bought in Greenwich Village (NYC) in 1977, might have to go.

  28. Shampoo rugs.
  29. Visit some place out west – Seattle or Alaska, etc.
  30. Try 5 new restaurants.
  31. Go on a road trip.
  32. Redesign primary bathroom.

    The primary ensuite bathroom is rather basic.

  33. Landscape front yard.
  34. Get together with sister.
  35. Order new curtains for living room.

    The living room curtains need to be replaced with something a little more elegant — these can go in the primary bedroom.

  36. Paint or replace venetian blinds.
  37. Focus on entry window coverings.
  38. Take 3 Bible studies.
  39. Paint the entry hall.

    The entry hall walls are 2 stories tall and impeded by a staircase.

  40. Design and rebuild top of breakfront.
  41. Host 5 get-togethers.
  42. Finish painting trim in DS bedroom.
  43. Find new dermatologist.
  44. Stain interior wood doors.

    All doors are an orangish wood tone.

  45. Rejuvenate the deck.
  46. Clean up the marsh.
  47. Collect driftwood.
  48. Get new vanity for heron bathroom.

    The only bathroom with a tub needs a major upgrade.

  49. Repair dining room rug.
  50. Get a new music system.
  51. Visit 2 states where I’ve never been (not just driven through).
  52. Sort out my wardrobe and donate or get rid of 10 items.
  53. Have a dinner by candlelight.

    Can’t wait to celebrate a special dinner.

  54. Take a trail ride on horseback.
  55. Fix curtains in master bedroom.
  56. Visit Mount Rushmore.
  57. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water. Southwestern PA
  58. Have ring appraised.
  59. Shred old files.
  60. Find tai chi on Eastern Shore.

    We have tai chied on vacation but I haven’t found any local practitioners yet.

  61. Clean up and organize old photos.
  62. Eat vegetarian for a week.
  63. Work on studio/office in back bedroom.
  64. Put outdoor shower at shore house.

    Once upon a time a temporary shower (brrrr) had been rigged up outside the laundry room.  I think we can do better.

  65. Install dual system heater/AC in master bedroom at shore house.
  66. See 5 theatrical productions.
  67. Carpet stair treads.

    The risers on the stairs are open.

  68. Visit Canada.
  69. Get a security camera.
  70. Paint and renovate laundry room.

    So far the only improvement I’ve made to the laundry is to switch out the lighting fixture.

  71. Drink a glass of water every morning for a month.
  72. Organize personal files.
  73. Set up a music system at the house.
  74. Paint the exterior of the house.

    We started the shed before the house to check the color.

  75. Visit 5 local thrift stores.
  76. Meet and remember 5 new people.
  77. Hang some art.

    I loved the gallery wall in our previous home.

  78. Take dance lessons.
  79. Paint trim in downstairs bedroom.
  80. Add shoe molding to downstairs.
  81. Outdoor shower at The Landing.

    The shower is installed here but the enclosure is still on the drawing board.

  82.  Repair and refresh dock.
  83.  Upgrade railings on back deck.

    The deck railings are basic.

  84.  Visit Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay
  85.  Paint one wall an outrageous color.
  86. Paint studio walls.
  87. Visit a lighthouse.

    Our nearest lighthouse is a beauty.

  88. Clean car headlights.
  89. Watch a meteor shower.
  90. Take a cruise to the Panama Canal.
  91.  Wear Shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day.
  92.  Walk across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

    I’ve driven across more times than I can count.

  93.  Eat no sugar for a week.
  94.   Plant a dogwood tree at The Landing.
  95.   Buy a stranger a meal.
  96.   Travel first class.
  97.   Get rid of 10 pieces of clothing.
  98. Have living room Bergere chairs slipcovered.

    I have 2 chairs that I would like to have slipcovered.

  99. Get a boat.
  100.   Transplant my orchids.
  101. Private

Jo

101 in 1001 #6: Finished

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I posted my new 101 in 1001 list on November 4, 2022. I try to include something from this list on my monthly to-do list. My first check-in is here with some details I have omitted in this post. Here is my progress at the end of 2 years, November 4, 2024 — 731 days since beginning.  And today, 1001 days in — August 1, 2025 — this is what I’ve accomplished.

The pyramids and sphinx at Giza viewed from the roof terrace at our hotel.

I have been making 101 tasks in 1001 days lists since 2009.  I have never totally finished one but I have made more progress than I might have done without the list as a guide. This list began November 4, 2022 and runs until August 1, 2025. My 5th list began February 6, 2020. It ended on November 3, 2022. Fourth list started May 10, 2017 (first list ended 11/13/2011, second list 8/11/2014, third list 5/9/2017) Completed items are in blue, black is the color for original post.  Pink items are plans.  Red items are cautions due to the situations out of my control.

  1. Retire from work. Complete! 1/31/2023  
  2. Start looking for house on the water. Requirements:  First floor bedroom and bathroom, 2 or 3 bedrooms, outbuildings, waterfront, dock, utility room. All requirements have been met. Complete! 1/13/2024

    How ’bout this view from the bedroom balcony??!!

  3.   Get new Global Entry. Complete! 6/6/2023  
  4. Get new passport.  I renewed my passport as soon as we returned from Egypt last November.  It took less than 4 weeks to receive my new document from the date I mailed the application.  Complete! 12/4/2023

    My new biometric passport.

  5. Find a new Primary Care Physician.  I’ve had the same PCP for about 40 years and he has recently retired.  Complete! 1/425/2024
  6. Find a new dentist.  Complete! 2/6/2025
  7.  Find a new dermatologist. Complete! 9/26/2023
  8. Visit St. Louis, Nashville and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Charlie and I visited Saint Louis and Nashville on our quest to see another solar eclipse.  Complete! 4/10/2024

    Charlie and I went to the top of the Gateway Arch in Saint Luis, MO.

  9. Solar eclipse in North America between Saint Louis, Mo and Nashville, TN.  Apparently we are umbraphiles.  Who knew? Complete! 4/8/2024

    The moon covers all but the sun’s corona in a total eclipse. (Taken with my iPhone.)

  10. Lead a Bible study or Book Club at home.  Led a Bible study in July, 2023.  Hosted a Book Club in July, 2024.  Complete! 8/1/2023

    We read and discussed The Alchemist in mixed company.

  11. Tour Bureau of Engraving and Printing  
  12. Visit the National Archives  
  13. Visit Greece. Charlie and I cruised from Istanbul to Athens then made a 5-day tour of Greece in a rental car. Complete! October 1, 2024

    Charlie and Jo near the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.

  14. Get rid of 50 books. Complete! 6/22/2024
  15. Host a swap meet. This will be challenging since we have moved houses.
  16. Host a dinner party for 6. Complete! 2/25/2023
  17. Learn to copyright (watermark) photos. Complete! 1/31/2024 

    I think I figured it out.

  18. Make a photo album of Mommie .

    Mother (left) and grandmother (right) in the 1940s.

  19. Increase net worth by 25%.  Missed by about 5  percentage points.
  20.  Adjust automatic reinvestments. Complete! 11/25/2022
  21. Paint landscapes/seascapes on canvas/wood.
  22. Make a household inventory with photos.  Since moving houses we are profoundly aware of everything we own/moved.  Still a visual list would be helpful.
  23. Design Etsy boutique packaging.
  24. Get rid of 5 big items from the house:  Cedar chest, Gold mirror, Saddle/horse gear, Dollhouse, Bird file cabinet,  Skittles game, Easel, Chandelier, Sleds  Complete! 7/7/2024

    This large (about 3′ by 5′) gilded wood mirror sold almost immediately on Facebook Marketplace.

  25. Design and print business cards.  Complete! 5/29/2025
  26. Attend 5 concerts.  Complete! 5/20/2023 

    Love the U.S. service bands.

  27. Paint all trim. Had to do it to sell the house Complete! 9/1/2024
  28. Repaint exterior parts of house that have weathered. Another project to sell the house. Complete! 9/1/2024

    Why is it always overhead and out of reach?

  29. Clean out car.  Complete! 5/13/2024 

    Vacuumed and ready for another trip with the pup. 

  30. Remove 10 boxes from the attic. Complete! 6/15/2024
  31. Build frame for full length mirror.

    A frame should stabilize this mirror on the back of a bedroom door.

  32. Give 5 parties. Complete! 6/27/2023 

    At 2024 holiday party Both the Egyptian and non-Egyptian food were a hit.

  33. Paint green vanity.

    Clearing off the top was a good start.

  34. Refinish tall dresser.

    I use my grandmother’s dresser and might like to lighten it after we move.

  35. Clear out mudroom closet.  Complete! 9/2/2024  

    Always a challenge.

  36. Whiten my teeth. Complete! 8/16/2023
  37. Fast for 24 hours. Complete! 11/21/2022  This challenge has repeated multiple times.
  38. Work on side hustle.
  39. Teach Dash a new trick. Complete! 8/31/2023

    Dash lives up to his name when he obeys the “come” command.

  40. Zip line in tropical forest.
  41. See 50 movies. Conclave has been my favorite so far.  Complete! 4/10/2023  
  42. Read 50 books.  Only 37 books.
  43. Parasail or hang-glide.
  44. Take a stargazer class or lesson.  Complete! 12/2/2022 

    The Big Dipper, part of Ursa Major Constellation (the Great Bear) was clearly visible outside the window of our Dune Shack in Massachusetts

  45. Learn to forage.  Complete! 11/12/2022

    Turkeytail mushroom on an oak log — just beautiful.

  46. Be part of a TV audience.
  47. Throw away/donate 30 things and do not replace them. Complete! 6/22/2024
  48. Drink 60 ounces of water each day for a week. Complete! 1/10/2023
  49. Try 5 new restaurants. Complete! 2/8/2023
  50. Build deck onto conservatory.
  51. Upgrade dollhouse castle.  Complete! 6/19/2024

    Ready for a new owner.

  52. Paver patio around fire pit.
  53. Clean up pond.
  54. Paint shore house sheds.

    The sheds at the shore house need a lick of paint.

  55. See 5 theatrical productions.  Complete! 5/3/2023
  56. Put outdoor shower at shore house. We love ours at The Landing.

    A soft rain shower falls from the showerhead at The Landing.

  57. Install dual system — heating and air conditioning — in master bedroom in shore house.
  58. Get together with Sister. Complete! 12/12/2024
  59. Maine whale watching. Will be Complete! 9/14/2025
  60. Visit Cylburn Arboretum. Complete! 5/17/2023

    We were inspired by the split bamboo structures in the garden.

  61. Egypt, pyramids, camel ride.  Complete! 11/6/2023

    Camels, pyramids and the Sahara Desert were included in our Egypt experience.

  62. Have large painting appraised.

    This painting should be valued by a pro.

  63. Visit Yellowstone.
  64. Visit Winterthur – Complete! 5/30/2023

    I was fascinated by the koi ponds — my favorite area of Winterthur gardens.

  65. Get rid of 101 items.  Complete! 8/4/2024

    Everything has been dispersed.

  66. Host a dinner party for 8 (actually 12). Complete! 7/14/2023

    When storms rolled through at party time we re-set up in the dining room.

  67. Visit Longwood Gardens.  Complete! 6/21/2023

    The conservatory was a haven.

  68. Go to the beach for a long weekend.  Complete! 6/1/2024 

    Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts

  69. Wash all the windows in the house.  Complete! 9/2/2024

    We have lots of windows.

  70. Maintain my personal weight goal. Complete! 6/17/2024
  71. Build a structure for trash cans and recycle bins.
  72. Clear out the basement.  Complete! 7/31/2024

    I’m leaving the new owners tile that matches installed tile, paint for exterior of the house, and a short ladder to access valves and crawlspace.

  73. Visit Vieques to see the bioluminescent bay Complete! 3/19/2023 

    A large Adirondack chair on the Malecon in Esperanza, Vieques, PR.

  74. Take 3 Bible studies. Complete! 6/4/2023
  75.  Renovate Treetops bedroom.  Complete! 6/20/2023

    The Treetops room is ready for guests.

  76. Celebrate 15th wedding anniversary Complete! 9/12/2024 

    We celebrated in Turkiye.

  77.  Have a yard sale. Complete! 6/22/2024 

    Glad that’s over!

  78.  Sort out all frames.  Complete! 10/11/2023
  79.  Go to dermatologist. Complete! 9/26/2023
  80. Visit New England.  Will be Complete! 9/12/2025
  81. Work on genealogy family tree.  Complete! 11/15/2022  This is one of those items I work on from time to time — it will never be fully finished.
  82. Ride in a dog sled. Planned for March, 2026 in Norway.
  83.  Stay in a remote place with few services – Dune Shack Complete! 6/1/2024

    The dune shacks at Cape Cod National Seashore are meant to be private places.

  84.  Unplug completely for a full day (no phone, no TV, no internet, no camera) Complete! 12/3/2023
  85. Go on a road trip.  Complete! 7/26/2023 

    A beautiful entrance hall in the French chateau style at Nemours. Over the fireplace “Aimer et Connaître” (to love and to know).

  86.  Declutter shed.  Complete! 9/2/2024

    I’ve been waiting a long time to see this counter cleared off.

  87.  Celebrate milestone birthday.  Complete! 2/24/2023

    We celebrated with a coffee morning get together.

  88.  Re-landscape front yard.  Complete! 11/7/2022

    A few tweaks and the foundation planting looks better

  89. Try archery.  Complete! 4/4/2023

    We all tried.

  90. Take an art history class. Complete! 12/8/2022 

    I learned about the valuable antiquities of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. (I saw Narmer Palette in Cairo.)

  91. Visit friends who can’t get out.  Complete! 1/1/2025
  92. Try tai chi. Complete! 11/17/2022 

    We even tai chied on vacation.

  93. Clear up/organize photos. So far I have just moved them to the new house.
  94. Eat vegetarian for a week.  Complete! 4/8/2023
  95. Free up 10 hangersin my clothing closet. Complete! 5/12/2023

    10 hangers ready for action

  96. Send 10 handwritten cards for no special reason.  Complete! 8/20/2023 
  97. Have ring appraised.
  98. Get rid of 5 pairs of shoes.  Complete! 3/9/2023

    Now some of the shoes on the floor can be stored in a shoe cubby.

  99. Go to a Chincoteague pony penning.  Complete! 7/29/2025 

    Assateague ponies in the Chincoteague marsh.

  100. Shred old files. And shred. And shred.  Complete! 7/19/2024
  101. Private

I’m getting things done albeit not everything!

Jo

July, 2025: Score

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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

Streamlining a Clunky Screen Door

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Our screen door on the front of the house was heavy and bulky.

The screen door hid the beautiful architectural door behind it.

It was on a spring so it squeezed me every time I let the dog out or tried to unlock the door from outside.  If I was carrying packages — forget it.

All the online videos implied I could install this by myself.

I ordered a 36 in. x 80 in. LuminAire Bronze for Single Entry Door 32 in.-36 in. Universal Handed Aluminum Retractable Screen Door from Home Depot which came in a suspicious box. (Taped not stapled.)

The break was difficult to see but made using the door impossible.

When I started to put the door together I found that it was broken so I called Andersen who sent me a replacement piece.

A tiny crack required this gismo.

I fixed the break and then found another one as I tried again to put the door together.  That was enough for me I returned it to Home Depot via their pickup service.

I hadn’t ordered it from Lowes in the first place because Home Depot would deliver it and Lowe’s would not.  I bought the second door (Larson brand) from Lowe’s and picked it up.

The most difficult part was fitting together 4 pieces that made up the frame.

The instructions indicated the installation was a 30 minute job.  Not so.

Loosening the screws on the side allowed me to fully push in the top and bottom rails.

The explanation and drawings were not very helpful.  I had to loosen some screws to get the thing put together.

The screen door is held in place with 4 screws driven into the exterior door frame.

Anyway once the door was in place it worked great except it wouldn’t stay open so I adjusted the latch on the frame and it worked.

The screen is barely visible from inside the house except for 2 lines about eye level and knee level.

This retractable screen door is only in use when the main door is open.

Before

After

Yea!!

Jo