Sunday, May 21, 2006
Invisible Screen
Our HOA doesn't allow screen doors to the front entrance. A couple a days ago, we had a retractable door installed in the front and back of the house. The screens are difficult to see. I had to make sure our dogs realized they were there so they wouldn't run through them. What smart dogs. After letting them sniff the doors and nudge at the screen, they figured it out pretty fast. The only way I've been able to tell if the screen door is open is by looking for the black handles (see arrow). The doors "latch" with magnets. The door retracts with a push, so Scott is going to have to figure out how to secure a physical latch when the kiddo gets here. Heidi did figure out how to open the door, but after giving her a stern look and putting her in time out, she hasn't attempted it again. It is so nice to be able to open all the windows and doors without flies or mosquitos coming in.
Scott also put up a purple martin/swallow house this weekend. It wasn't a simple project. In our area, we have two to four inches dirt, then it is pure limestone rock. So, he got a work out using a pick ax cutting through the bedrock. He then mixed and poured cement into the hole and held the pole for 30 minutes to let it cure a little. The pole is retractable so the birdhouse can be cleaned in the winter time. I have to admit that I AM NOT cleaning out the birdhouse. Gross! I know some of you know that HOA's can be sticklers for any little thing that is an infraction to the bylaws. So, I wonder what they will think of the height? We looked and there was not anything mentioned about birdhouses.
We also bought birdseed for the bird feeder. Those birds go through a 5 lb bag a feed every two weeks. So, we have to really ration it. Scott and I purchase the "no trash" seed which isn't cheap, but it keeps the funky seed plants from growing in the flower bed.
Now that the "bad" backyard neighbor with the yappy dog moved, we can enjoy our back porch. We introduced ourself to our new backyard neighbor when they moved in. They said they were getting a puppy and asked us to bring our dogs over. We decided that we will cut a hole in our fence and put in lattice panel so the puppy and Heidi can see each other.
By the way, I wanted to point out the pink flowers on the bush on the left hand side of the picture. That is an althea. This plant was made from a cutting of my great aunt's house who got it from her grandmother. Isn't that cool? Dad gave me the plant so he can pass down a bit of history. I have to say that was a big leap of faith on dad's part since I tend to kill plants. It almost died while in the pot, but as soon as Scott planted it, this baby took off. I do worry how it will do in the shade when the Monterey oak on the right and the Japanese maple on the left mature. The garendening guide says it needs 4-6 hours of full sun. However, Grammy has her plants growing under huge canopies of 60 year old pecan trees and they are doing fine.
