The Taj Ma Fence

Our driveway was pretty embarrassing. Those vines on the fence grew better than the lawn.

After:

Look! How nice is this? The fence looks better than the house!

The view from the Taj Ma Patio is considerably improved.

It’s only money

Sorry Stanley, I’m afraid that’s coming out of your allowance.

Today is the installation of the Taj Ma Fence, which will replace the yucky vine-covered wire fence along the driveway. This morning at 6 AM, we were cutting down a small tree which threatened to fall onto the fence. Better now than later. Phillip didn’t want to use his chainsaw so early, so he did the initial cut with a human-powered model. The boys were of course locked inside. Pictures tomorrow!

I’ll help!

Putting on shoes and socks can be a difficult proposition at times. You gather the four items, sit down and then, if you’re lucky, do one foot followed by the other, before assistance arrives. You know the rest.

Splish Splash

Filmed and edited by Phillip. This is a good one!

All eyes north

It’s the weekly occasional caption contest!

Congratulations to Cathy, Gomez & Lily for: Mmmm . . . smells like they’re grilling sausages out there in San Francisco. Also, a squirrel just pooped in Utah.

The runner-up (with apologies for non-intentional nepotism) is C. Siding for: The two, the proud, the thirsty.

Dry clean only

I would really like to put this doggy bed into the wash, but I can’t help but think that Stanley considers it just perfect. So I leave it alone.

Sunroom demolition is proceeding at a rapid pace. I love the new view out of the sliding glass doors. Notice how the garden is now taller than the sunroom!

Architectural Digest is calling

Look! No more ugly Adirondack furniture! The chairs are from Lowes and the tables are from Crate and Barrel. I think this really enhances the Taj Ma Patio.

Unlike Clayton, Spenser and Scooter (see July calendar photo), the boys refuse to pose on chairs. We gotta work on that.

Speak up, please

The other day I was at my computer in the dining room with Sherman in his usual perch on top of the couch. He was facing the sliding glass doors, and when Phillip opened the doors at the other end of the kitchen, Sherman turned around! How did he hear that sound? I am pretty sure there was no visual cue, and the sound certainly wasn’t loud. But there you have it. You can yell at him from ten feet away and he doesn’t react. This dog is an aural mystery wrapped up in a luv sponge.

Demolition derby

We’re still waiting for the architect to present his plans for the new room, but that hasn’t stopped Phillip from tearing down the old one. Actually, it will be reused, by Phillip’s nephew Jerome who has built himself an impressive cabin in New Hampshire. Phillip has been videotaping the dismantling so Jerome can figure out how to resurrect it. Did I mention that Phillip’s going to build the new room himself? Because of all the free time he has?

Stanley is exhausted just thinking it.

Bug a boo

In the non-winter months, Sherman devotes a good deal of time to his study of entomology. He loves bugs. Ants, ticks, wasps, stink bugs, he loves them all. Even if, as above, the bug turns out to be not a bug, it still deserves his thoughtful concentration. Quiet! Genius at work.