Best Life

  As the sun sets tonight there is a sense of accomplishment along with fatigue.  After stacking another half cord of wood, I became Paul's helper.  The goal - hang wall panels without too many mistakes.  Start with the back wall where our mistakes won't be so noticeable. After hanging the second panel Paul realized there was a discrepancy in the height.  The cause - the lowest beam was twisted.  The fix - undo the two straps, insert a board to push it into correct position, reattach the straps and secure the panels. First the foot trim is secured, insulation strips taped along the top and foot then followed by hanging the panels.  The foot trim installation - troublesome because the edge of the concrete pad was not straight.  The insulation sticky enough that when not applied correctly was very difficult to remove and reattach.  But we developed a system and each application seemed  to be a little easier. The bottom of the panels need t...

Last night's brilliant sunset on Mooselookmeguntic Lake.   Today's forecast - 60s with some clouds, no wind and no precipitation.  So we set out to paint the steel beams.  We were just starting when the drizzle began.  By the second beam - real rain.  Ugh! After a three hour rain delay - we restarted. We persevered through the wind and the puddles.  We managed to complete 4 1/2 beams before we ran out of paint.                                                                                    Loving the ladder!                                                  ...

  Coffee on the back deck.  A truly perfect way to start another gorgeous day in Rangeley.  No need to rush.  The first batch of laundry was hung out while the coffee brewed.  The second batch and the 1/2 cord of wood (delivered just before dusk last night) can wait.  The sun feels wonderful.  The wind - almost tropical.  Crazy New England weather!  It needs to be enjoyed because tomorrow could be freezing again! While Paul worked on the garage, I stacked wood (including another 1/2 cord delivered just after noon), finished the laundry (dried in under two hours!), made croutons, repaired a torn comforter and dry mopped floors.                                                   Only two more half cords to go!    The last of the strapping is in place.  Next step - paint the rust and ...

  Today was perfection.  A bright, warm sun with a gentle to moderate breeze and a high of 69.  The forecast this morning came with a special weather statement.  This statement was sent out to warn folks that although the high temperatures would tempt people to swim, the water temperature remains in the 40s and the risk of hypothermia is high.  Also because of high wind gusts, tipping a canoe or kayak could be detrimental.  I was not even close to being tempted.  I might swim in August! Fenway enjoyed hours outside on his blanket in the sun where he could watch me hang laundry (3 loads!) and stack another half cord of wood.  And intermittently read in the sun.   And he could even see Paul working on the garage.  Today he completed the framing for the garage door and the man door.  Only one large beam had to be lifted to the top and bolted.   My pantry is now super organized.  Amazon delivered my new spice rack and our...

Despite the continued rain we managed to be productive.       - a check of our PO box - junk plus a couple local newspapers (4 pages each).  And I cannot even remember anything I actually read about - it was that mundane.     - a trip to the dump to get rid of stinky trash and recycles (we were the only ones there),     - a peruse of the bargain barn where I found a couple DVDs and a couple books,     - began spring cleaning the bathroom closet. And when the sun finally made an appearance:     - removed the last cord of old wood from the shed to make room for the new wood,     - stacked the first 1/2 cord (total 3 cords coming),     - Paul hung my clothesline in preparation for the coming warm weather. Today's holiday - Relive Your Past By Listening to The First Music You Ever Bought No Matter What It Was. Mine (as best as I can recall):   Da Doo Ron Ron by Shaun Cassidy and Kung Foo by Carl D...

 Tonight's drive to Trail's End Steakhouse and Tavern in Eustis provided us with amazing scenery and wildlife.  Thursday is Two 'fer.  Two for the price of one.  Introduced to us many, many years ago by Cousin Edgar, it has persevered.  Our choice tonight- sea scallops - yummy!                                             A moose and her yearling on Route 16.                                                                 Flagstaff Lake                                                      ...