Monday, November 11, 2024

CARDINAL RULES

 The three cardinal rules for blogging are:

Never write about politics, religion, or..........ghosts.

I broke the third rule several days ago - - which generated a few kind comments, and left the others silently contemplating the validity of my sanity.

I'm sane. Most of the time. I'm truthful. All of the time. Those two blog posts were intended to be for the Halloween season, but they were slightly belated.

November. Already. Now we will be mercilessly bombarded with the holiday season. My very least favorite time of year.

Humbug.

I've been in a muddled mood lately. I won't burden you with all of my problems and complaints. If I ever did, you'd be wishing I'd talked about religion and politics instead.

My adventures with possums didn't end quickly. I sealed up all the places where I thought they got in. But that didn't stop them. As soon as I scooted one out the door with a broom.....I'd turn around and find another one. It was almost humorous - - like a cartoon. But I sure as hell wasn't laughing.

Finally, I happened to look behind the washing machine. They were ripping their way through a small space connected to another area where the water heater is. I sealed it up as best I could and voila! No more possums.

So far. Optimism isn't in my vocabulary.

I finally painted the kitchen floor. It wasn't easy - - considering that I can hardly stand without support and can hardly bend down. But I bought a paint brush with a fourteen-inch handle. And I forced myself to bend down. I succeeded.

Unfortunately, to get the best results, there should be two or three coats of paint - - and then a clear sealer should be applied. I've done this to a room in my house when I was in Texas, and the result was beautiful.

One drawback here in the damp boonies. The (oil-based) paint is supposed to dry in four hours, but it took TWO days. I couldn't go into the kitchen to cook. 

I sure as heck don't want to put on a second coat of paint and wait two more days.

Well, enough of this.

Cheers, Jon

I took a few photos today.


My front "yard" early this morning. Most of the autumn foliage has vanished.



The hills are appearing beyond the naked trees.

I finally took a few pics from the back porch.



Where numerous trees were toppled from storms.



14 comments:

  1. thecontemplativecat here. Painting the porch would be pretty low on my list. I love this time of year. leaves are falling, a cool wind, being cold.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. My front porch needs a new coat of paint, but I don't feel like tackling it. The kitchen floor was enough. I'm always messy when it comes to paint.
      The weather is beautiful this time of year - - but it's unseasonably warm here - in the 70s.

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  2. In the70s here, too, windy and sunshine. One of my bathrooms needs to be painted. I may just hang pictures over the worst bits.

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    1. To heck with the paint. I think hanging pictures would be less stressful.

      Delete
  3. Maybe if you wait another week or so you can finish your floor eventually? I, personally, would love to see the end results.

    I am glad you were finally able to eliminate the possum problem. I would never hurt them either, but they do not belong in a house!

    I also am not a fan of Winter .... ugh!

    BEAUTIFUL PICS!

    ~ Kim

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    Replies
    1. I'm tempted to finish the floor and I probably will....eventually. It irks me when I don't complete things.
      The possums can be very destructive indoors but I don't want to harm them. Heck, I don't even like to harm the mice.
      Everything about winter is extremely annoying.

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  4. Only 43 degrees here at 3 in the afternoon...but warm enough we haven't had snow.
    Sounds like for the next coats of paint and sealer you will have to plan ahead and stockpile something to eat and drink in your bedroom! Goodness! Unless there's a way you can paint part of the floor at a time so you could still get in there while each side dries? What a dilemma! Glad you are rid of the possums so far, though. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. A daytime 43 degree temp is a good incentive to make homemade soup.
      I've moved a lot of things around in the kitchen area. One good thing is that my new refrigerator is now near the dining area instead of directly in the kitchen, so I can get food and at least make things like sandwiches.
      At least the possums aren't running through wet paint!

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  5. I couldn't imagine painting the kitchen floor, although I have stenciled one of my hardwood floors before, I hope you show us the end result if you are able to get another coat of paint on it.
    I feed the possums every night, I may regret it.
    ~Jo

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    Replies
    1. It's easy to paint over old linoleum. I just wanted to give it a new look. I took a lot more time and care with the floor in my Texas house - - but I was healthy then, and could get on my knees.
      Possums are cute if they stay outside....

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  6. Your floor paint kindled a forgotten memory...my cousins on the Oregon coast were mostly loggers, working in the woods. They used floor paint on their boots, to waterproof them.
    It's been seasonable here as weather systems move in off the Pacific...rained a good part of today, temps in the 40's mostly. I don't mind rain, at night my window is slightly open, and I can hear the rain falling. It lulls me to sleep sometimes.
    When I was blogging I avoided 2 of the 3, to mixed results.
    Glad you seem to be doing well, good that you found the possum's entry.
    Take care, Jon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's amazing to use floor paint to waterproof boots! I've never heard of that before.
      It's still unseasonably warm here in the wilds of TN. In the mid 70s and the 60s at night. I keep my bedroom window slightly open at night, too. I like to have a breath of fresh air.
      I hope the possums don't find a new way to enter.
      Thanks, Mike.

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  7. Jon, you are so right about the topics to avoid blogging about, especially the first 2 and particularly the first. The 3rd is OK with me even if I don't have a strong belief in the supernatural. The number of "disillusioned, shocked, dismayed" (their words) blog posts recently were quite interesting to read as were the resulting comments. Glad the possum situation is under control, hopefully for good. Kudos to you on painting the kitchen floor.

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    1. I'd rather write about possums than politics. Religion doesn't bother me at all, but perhaps it's best to keep our private beliefs to ourselves. And ghosts? My paranormal experiences were real, but I'm sure some find it hard to believe.
      I really need to put a second coat of paint on the kitchen floor, even though it will be an inconvenience.

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