While awaiting arrival of trusses later this week to continue construction of our waterfront cabin, we scrub the new concrete patio (repeatedly), dig out one dead tree and cut down others, and wait.
We also take outings on the bay to remember why we are building here. Nature!
When you’re immersed in daily tasks, it’s easy to forget the purpose underlying those tasks. In the words of at least one philosopher, be here now. Be present. Be thankful. Notice.
I admit I have trouble feeling thankful while tangled amid the branches of the latest dead elm tree we’ve just cut down, trying to haul them to the burn pile. I’ve been frustrated at the odd color of the patio after days of scrubbing. I’ve grumbled about insect bites and midnight fireworks. Then I remember. I wouldn’t be anywhere else right now. Perfection isn’t required.
Photos and captions below….
Our concrete patio has two colors; the medium brown that was mixed in and the dark brown (walnut) that was dusted on top. (See previous post.) This should create the look of real wood that is two shades of brown. The dust came out looking like light gray, not walnut. Only 20% of that dust — called “antique release” — should be left over after we scrub. So we took turns scrubbing…and scrubbing some more, four times over the 72 feet of patio, pushing the stiff brush hard and then rinsing off the residue.
At the end of all that scrubbing, it still looks mostly gray…and, in full light, a kind of mottled pink-and-gray. (It’s hard to show in a photo and depends a lot on the light.) We’ve ordered a high-powered pressure washer and will try that next. A new stain might be required. The good news is, the texture really does look like wood even if the color doesn’t, yet.
With sore arms and needing a break, Jeff and I took an outing across the bay to the Ravine River, where late-afternoon sun glints off the bottom of the bridge.
In the shallow waters surrounding the mouth of the Ravine…
With time on our hands, we returned to another recurring task…removing dead trees, four more in the past few days. We lost at least a dozen elms this past year due to Dutch Elm disease, which has killed about 40 million trees in the U.S.
We cut some down by chain-saw but others need to be dug up by the roots. Here, Jeff works the levers of his backhoe (a kind of heavy-duty digger) to loosen the roots of a big elm.
Jeff rigged a few cables to pull it down. It took a lot of pulling, and patience, since the roots were deep. You can’t see it here but the cable is wrapped around a very tall and very dead hemlock, to add more leverage. The hemlock shook with the pressure and I kept my distance. Jeff always seems to know what he’s doing when taking down trees. Still, there is risk.I wear safety glasses when we’re messing with big trees and flinging branches. I also wear long sleeves and pants, even if it’s hot. This light-weight men’s shirt serves well as a work shirt. (Like most women in their 60s, I’m not fond of selfies but wanted to show the reality. 😉 )
I take work breaks in my tent, which I moved to the waterfront. (After clearing out small trees and limbs, I’ve opened up more spots for it.)
The benefit of tent sleeping? A close-up of sunrise! I always wake early in the tent. If the sun doesn’t wake me, the crows and squirrels do!
Another benefit of a construction pause is the chance to visit with neighbors. John and Tammy came by last night in their gorgeous boat while other neighbors came by four-wheeler. On Huron Bay, you use the transportation that makes most sense!
Mary,
What beautiful posts you make! Some times it’s two steps forward and one back… as we know.
My best friend and I did a science fair project on Dutch Elm Disease in high school and won a prize, so many years ago. What a sad predicament for the elm tree!
For Many Moons 
Mary,
What beautiful posts you make! Some times it’s two steps forward and one back… as we know.
My best friend and I did a science fair project on Dutch Elm Disease in high school and won a prize, so many years ago. What a sad predicament for the elm tree!
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How interesting about your science fair project!
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I see what you mean by pink, Mary. It’s more visible in this last picture. Not bad though
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Y9ou look smashing in safety goggles!
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