Ticking Off That List

 

Decided to take a few days to ourselves and head up the mountain to our cabin. Menagerie Manor has many willing caretakers so it was left in very capable hands. We had a long list of things needing done while on our getaway. The first thing and something that has been needing done for several years now are these horrid pull shades on the three largest windows in the cabin. My lovely parents installed them back in the early 80's. They were great in their day but they are so long that they are too heavy for the spring inside the rollers. For the past 15ish years they have taken a whole lot of luck, finesse and so much swearing to get them up all the way and even more to get them to stay down. We have also gotten the crap startled out of us in the dead of night and usually after we have been asleep for several hours, when one or all three would lose their grip and go flying up with a loud flapping noise. 

It took about four hours with several long breaks so Mema could rest and get some strength to hold the flashlight while I installed the hardware for the new shades. I was so happy when we sat back and admired our hard work. I know my father will like them but most important I think my late mother would love the changes made to the cabin she so loved.

This is the longest window and required three shades because the window sections on either end open. So when we want fresh air the entire shade pushes up from the bottom very easily. 

I love the subdued light in the early morning while I sit and enjoy my quiet cup of coffee before the day starts.

We love our time on the mountain but there seems to be so much to do as the place is aging and being in the deep woods it faces some pretty rough weather. The decking needs to be pressure washed and a good heavy coat of wood preserver painted on, there is some dry rot that needs getting rid of and the whole cabin is in need of fresh paint. At the end of a busy day we lay around and read or watch a movie or sit out on the deck in the complete dark and stare up into black sky filled with billions of stars that we city folk never get the chance to see. Our Roxy is a true city girl so her evenings are spent curled up asleep on the knitted afghan that my mother made, dreaming sweet doggie dreams.