Mowing the Lawn

We haven't owned a lawn mower in over a decade since we completely xeriscaped our previous yard. Now that we have about 3/4 of an acre that is primarily grass or at least primarily low-growing green plants, we had to get something and since we are both senior citizens, I told my husband he needed a riding mower. So tomorrow we will have a new mower that I have no doubt will be my husband's toy. While I don't doubt that there will be times when it will be me on the mower, it still excites that teen-aged boy at the heart of my old man.

We also met with some architects and engineers yesterday. This house is fine in many ways, but missing items in others. Add to that the fact that we are older and the need for some changes become more apparent. What we are thinking of is an enclosed breezeway sort of area to attach the current house to another building that will have a garage on the lowest level and living quarters above that. Because the plot of land slopes down to the road, the upper level will end up being partly at ground level making it easier for older folks. There is no toilet on the first floor of the current structure so going up and down the stairs is a necessary part of living here. This will be the first time we use firms that are owned and operated by women--hip, hip, hooray. I will let you know if that makes them more reliable than the typical male architect contractor arrangement. Their two firms specialize in restoration and rehabilitation of old structures so they seem like a good fit.

I had hoped that we would be able to finish the upper level of the spring house to use but they both cautioned against that both for the artworks we want to display and the quilts since both items are sensitive to humidity and with the spring running through the first floor the humidity is higher than it a simple structure. We can still rehab it to make it an indoor sort of party space, though. It will also be where the new lawn mower will stay when not in use.