It's late July and I've not posted in a long time mostly because I (we) have spent my time enjoying it and not writing about it!  It's time to catch up.

So far this season we have done the following:

- fixed garden fence
- repaired faucet near garden
- cleared larger part of garden than last year and planted a variety of things
- re-vitalized the screened in porch
- had the phone restored (with old phone number - 413-258-4734)
- put in a cordless phone
- replaced propane line from wall to stove
- cleaned foreign matter (plastic, garbage) from compost pit
- purchased a used weed-wacker/edger
- put aluminum around some apple trees to deter porcupines
- continued cleaning/organizing barn
- trimmed roses and lilac
- other things I can't remember now

Sarah was here with us before she went back to Ireland and we had over Gary Danko, the contractor who assisted with figuring out the chimney leaks last season.  Sarah wanted to get an estimate on painting the kitchen and both bathrooms.  This is currently a work in progress.

Garden 7-29-12

Screened-in porch 7-29-12

New Gas Line

Porcupine deterrent on tree.

7-30-12

Arrived Saturday 4/28/12.  All in order.  Took Char to train station in Hudson Monday morning.

This trip: cleared more of garden, purchased stove stuff.

We noticed on our last visit that the old copper(?) gas line from the wall to the stove was very crimped.  I have purchased the parts necessary to replace it and will do so after Sarah and Robin's visit later this week.

Happy Spring!

Arrived in afternoon of 4/20/12.  All in order - only a little evidence of mice.  There was much rain and wind the night of 4/22 but no leaks/seepage observed.

 This trip: cleaned, cleared part of garden, inspected grounds, tested smoke detectors, cleared dead ferns from stone wall, moved two chives from garden to near porch.

Louis Ludovico did his thing on 4/16.  He found that the water pump needed a new starter which he provided and installed for an additional $95.  The bill for $310 has been left on the table for Sarah and Robin's visit.

Winter Visit

Went up to the house to check on things.  Everything in order.  There were a few dead mice in the traps I left but no dead mice visible from the poison.  In fact there were almost no droppings anywhere in the house!  Hopefully, this holds till spring.  I cleaned up the used traps and put down six new ones with peanut butter bait.  See you soon!

Closing Up

12-10-11 - Arrived Saturday afternoon - all in order.  Closed up house.  Cleaned kitchen, cleaned out fridge (and left it open), put paper or plastic on beds, tables and trunks throughout the house, put linens, pillows and blankets in bins or bags, removed lots of food, put out mouse traps and poison.

Arranging for Louis Ludovico to deal with the water and propane, of which about 200 gallons remained in the smaller tank.

Closing Up 12-11/11

Closing Up 12-11-11

Thank you for a wonderful summer and fall!!!

Arrived evening of 11/18/11 - All in order.  There was one mouse in one of the traps.

This trip: Met with and paid Paul the last payment for grass care for the season, dug trench on part of driveway to allow water to flow, cleared branches from stone wall (and burned them in a nice bonfire).

Paul came by and we paid him the last payment for summer lawn care.  He says that the mower will need a tune up and blade-sharpening at the beginning of next season.  We told him about the chimney work (sealing) that occurred earlier in the season and he observed that the flashing near the front chimney looked much better.

Arrived the evening of 11/11/11.  All in order.  All the snow as melted.  There was one dead mouse in a trap in the kitchen.