Doling out a double handful of peanuts-in-the-shell from my back door each morning draws out the competitive spirit of hungry squirrels and blue jays that snatch them from the deck and take off into the trees only to return repeatedly until all the peanuts are gone. Without fail, they are back again the next day for an early morning breakfast. After cleaning out my small pond and waterfall and filling it with rainwater, it’s delightful to hear the first splash after I set the timer and connect the electricity. Cutting the lawn doesn’t excite me, but it gives me exercise and the satisfaction of enjoying a velvety green carpet of grass around my pond and vegetable patch.
Autumn and winter bring new tasks. In the fall blowing the leaves against the house foundation is an easy chore. In spring the decayed leaves are stored near the garden to be used as mulch. With some effort I recently rejuvenated my front yard by giving it a whole new look. After removing the sod, I redesigned the small patch of ground, added shrubs, plants, and a decorative piece of driftwood, bordered by a stone wall across the front. With minimal effort I transformed the space into an attractive front yard.
Decorating my wide porch with Hallowe’en scarecrows and later, Christmas lights, adds interest and colour to my home, and street. My international flag collection prompts me to fly a different flag every two weeks. This often results in curious comments by passers-by, most of whom are not flag experts. One neighbor, who is flag-savvy, lets me know when I unknowingly fly a flag upside down, by leaving a note signed, “Flag Warden”.
Occasionally a heavy snow storm spurs me to crank up my John Deere snowblower and clear my driveway and sidewalk, along with those of about eight neighbours, as I’m the only one who owns a blower. They appreciate the gesture, but the effort is minimal with this rugged machine. Should light snowfalls occur during the winter, one or more of my neighbours, without fail, clears my sidewalk.
Inside the house I am still able to handle my chores. I do my own dishes, laundry, and shop for my groceries at several stores where I take advantage of special discounts. I prepare and cook my own meals and have learned to make my own homemade soup from recipes that I find on the internet. When a painter, contracted to refurbish my kitchen cabinets and paint the rest of the large kitchen didn’t appear as scheduled, I cancelled the contract and tackled the job myself. The result was very satisfying. I was so inspired that I later painted the floor and walls of the basement. The tasks of caring for a home are many and varied. They may be viewed as a curse, or an interesting challenge.
