A wild weekend of work and wonder went wistfully away with the passing of the month. After the weekly workout, we gathered in the den for a nice dinner and a belated B-day. There’s nothing better than home-grown and home-made Chile Rey Arnos to top off a big vege burrito. Nor was the pile of packages anything the birthday girl was prepared for. The poems, Japanese cherry blossom rub and backpack cooler appeared to be definite winners.
So thus began a weekend of work. First thing Saturday we piled into the swan and made it to the house by 9:15. The old grey truck was already filled with trimmings from yesterday’s clean-up so before any more could be added, room had to be made. Well, rather than spend an hour and a half and $30 taking the load to the dump, what do you suppose the Johansen solutions were? No, they did not include dropping the load off in the street, the neighbor’s yard, the park or even the ditch in the coastal forest. Does packing ring a bell? Yes, for two hours I broke apart all the tree branches into straight segments and laid them all out like sardines. Its one thing to organize a set of Lego’s or nuts and bolts; but yard waste? By the time the sun hit its peak and the morning shade on the driveway had disappeared, I was roasting. The furnace of the sun only intensified as the afternoon wore on. Luckily, we had our cooler of Vita water and other forms of entertainment were found in the shade. The chicken coop was one; apples and grapes were another; and best of all was the swing set. Perhaps it is to be expected that after 25 years, the corner ornament of our yard had its last dawn. This sturdy, well-designed wooden coop, with its shingled roof, red painted siding and well-suited interior for feathered friends, wore its neglect well. But under the trim and tiled roof, we found the rot and worn boards. So today the coop has sighed its last. A retransformation is now under way. Off with the weathered and shaggy trim; goodbye old roof and battered bones. The timbers of your skeleton may hold true; but no more will chickens call you home. Instead a shed and workshop you shall be. You’ll be keeper of tools for Mom, Dad and me.
So out with the old and in with the new. The yard clean up continued on pine needle plume. Next came the best job of this hot day, when apart came the swing set under the shade. With wrench and socket I went to work, unfastening bolts and removing screws. Limb by limb, it came apart. Soon metal and timber littered the lawn. Before I knew it, the structure was gone. Just three stubborn bolts remained in straggling log. So to handle these few persistent pins, Dad brought out the cutter with a grin. With ease of a wand, I sawed metal in two; leaving just the clean-up to do. Thus what started as a dilapidated toy became a pile of useful parts.
So despite the heat one bright spot remains. While resting the inevitable chance came to pass. I had a hunch it was meant to be and so indeed he did see me. So on noon of the following day, we were delighted by the visit of our neighbor’s family. Mother, son and child now seven, the trio was a delight to catch up with again. And best of all, we’re all in the Bay, with Palo Alto not far away. So after a spin and piggy back ride for his boy, we said our good-byes for now and started assembling the yard repair store. Dad’s tree trimming looks good, as Sooky agrees, and Mom’s satisfied with the progress for one weekend. Don’t think this is all though for we will return soon. After all, Katy and Paul still have to show us their new rooms.
Thus concluded a wild weekend of work in the yard, of party and reunion of family and friends gone not far. While the gourmet dinner was served to the guests, I simply enjoyed a slumber until sun did set.
Hurray for September!