The painters were back yesterday for their second day. I thought they were close to being done, but it turns out they had to "cut in" the bedroom, which I think just means giving the paint a sharper edge, and they gave everything a second coat and started the front door. We had a scare in the morning when they said the living room wall was too wet to paint -- and indeed, there were water droplets in some areas, which I have never seen before. They insisted the water was coming in from the outside. We have some dampness issues in the living room -- we always have -- but I'm sure what we were seeing was actually condensation from all the humidity in the room. I left the dehumidifier on overnight so it would be drier this morning, and it seems much better.
Also, the tree guy was here and cleared out a huge amount of greenery from the back of the garden. I'll get some photos this morning so you can see what I mean. I think we're going to have him come back and do some more, because he left a huge amount of ivy after cutting its stem, and I don't want all that dead ivy just hanging there. I'd rather pay extra to have him remove it.
So, yes, chaos continues here at home, though the painters say they'll be done today. That would be a mercy.
This was drawn by a boy named Levi in our Lower School library. He brought it to me and said, "How do you like my very friendly dog?" I had to laugh, both at his sarcasm and his artwork. Pretty amazing for a second-grader!
I got a treat yesterday when a book I'd ordered was delivered. It's a collection of UK crisp packets, known to those of us in North America as potato-chip bags, dating from the 1970s to 2000. I read about it in The Guardian and knew I had to have it -- it's just the kind of cultural detritus I love. Apparently the author started collecting the bags in tube tunnels while doing graffiti, which had preserved the decades-old packaging. He wound up with a fascinating assortment of graphic designs involving aliens, cartoon characters, dragons and more, for obscure snacks with crazy names like "Bermuda Triangles" and "Monster Munch."
Speaking of monsters munching, Dave had some leftover lamb chunks from a Chinese meal he'd ordered and we decided to put it out for the foxes. Here's the result. It looks like one fox got all of it -- ate its fill and then carried off a few more pieces for safekeeping, or perhaps to share with a mate. That must have been one happy, contented fox!
(Top photo: Edgware Road, a few weeks ago.)
(Top photo: Edgware Road, a few weeks ago.)
I would very much like to see the new paint when it is all done and the neater garden too once all the dead ivy is gone.
ReplyDeleteI'll try to get a garden picture this weekend.
DeleteThat makes one happy Steve (because of the book) and one happy fox in one day :-)
ReplyDeleteThe dog drawing is really good, maybe that boy has had just such an encounter with a "very friendly" dog.
I know! I'm really impressed with his drawing skill.
DeleteYour damp problem sounds worrying. If it begins to cause mould to form be careful as the spores are not good for your lungs.
ReplyDeleteA book of crisp packet photos sounds very "out there" !
We do get occasional speckles of mold on that wall -- like twice a year -- but I just wipe them away and spray some mold-preventative stuff on it. I've never seen water beading on it before.
DeleteThat’s a very pleased and well-fed fox. Hope the dampness problem is resolved and it‘s not a leak. That’s the second child’s photo I’ve seen today (see Ms.Moon) that I would proudly frame.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's a leak from plumbing or anything like that. But it may be a leak from slow seepage, from the weather.
DeleteI see you updated the time stamp on your camera. An hour after you set it out, the fox found and started eating it. After finishing, it came back 40 minutes later to clean up. Then it came back 7 hours later to check for more scraps and 3 hours later to check one last time. That must have been some REALLY good lamb.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I noticed those time differences too! That fox kept coming around hoping for more!
DeleteOkay dude, let's talk ivy! It' something I know about through experience. Vigorous, living ivy clings to whatever it climbs with supreme tenacity. However, once the root stems are severed the ivy gradually loses its grip and dies off. Consequently, after say six months, it becomes much easier to remove. If the tree guy comes back right now, he will have one hell of a job removing that ivy and will probably need to cause unsightly damage to whatever the ivy has been climbing.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is, if we wait, birds will be nesting and I'll be forced to look at dead ivy for six months or more. I'm happy for him to leave the stem sections that are attached to the trunk -- it's the big branches of leaves I want removed. (This is that woody kind of ivy.)
DeleteI love the fox footage. He/she hit the jackpot with that meal!
ReplyDeleteHappy fox!
DeleteYou have as many issues at home as a homeowner, but you don't have to pay.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but we're also not earning any equity. We're pissing away money in the long run, I realize that.
DeleteA book of chip bags proves there's something for everyone!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it, though? And it's FASCINATING!
DeleteYour foxes look very sleek and healthy, and no doubt grateful for good cuisine.
ReplyDeleteProbably better than anything else that fox has eaten for a while!
DeleteA full fox is a happy fox! Please show your crisp packets! (I have a friend who collects so much vintage packaging she calls it her own packaging museum!) Levi is pretty good for a second grader but what I like most of all is his humour!
ReplyDeleteThere's a link to a review of the crisp packet book in my post -- that will show you some examples.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteThey would be great as a collection in a large frame, maybe in a kitchen or dining area! Some of those are art on their own!
DeleteLove the fox. I'm curious, do you guys wash the spices and sauces off the meat first? If I have leftover meat, sitting in the fridge too long, I wash it off, chop it up small and then throw it in the backyard. It's supposed to be good for a dog's brain to find their food. They seem to enjoy it anyway:) Even the cat gets involved in it if she's outside.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing the freshly painted walls.
I can't imagine having water droplets on the walls. We have the opposite problem, no humidity.
In this case, the meat wasn't heavily spiced, as far as I know. It was grilled for use in a wrap of sorts. So no, I didn't wash it off -- and the fox didn't seem to mind!
DeleteKids' drawings can be so fun. My 3rd grade grandson gave me a wonderful book he wrote for school called My Grandma's House all about his most special place - my home! I've read it over and over and it is something I will treasure forever.
ReplyDeleteNeil has good advice about your ivy. I know nothing about such things!
That sounds like the perfect gift!
DeleteOkay. That dog picture and the kid's comment is hysterical. I love it when kids start really showing they understand humor.
ReplyDeleteI think YP might have a point about the ivy but what do I know? Not much.
Mr. (or Ms.?) Fox slept well after that meal, I am sure.
I know, I was so impressed by both the picture and the joke! If the fox slept well, he/she went elsewhere to do it.
Delete"Cutting in" means doing the corners and edges with a brush where the roller won't cover. Painters do an awesome job. My painting is just a mess.
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks for the clarification!
DeleteClassic Drawing Considering That It Isn't Halloween - Looking Forward To All The Before And After Photos
ReplyDeleteKeep Smiling ,
Cheers
It is a bit "Hound of the Baskervilles," isn't it?!
DeleteI know you'll be glad when the painting is done. That second grader is indeed a good artist.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am so ready to return to normalcy.
DeleteLove the boys drawing. Second grade, huh?
ReplyDeletePretty impressive, right?!
DeleteI like the "friendly" dog! You have me curious about the book. Did I ever tell you about the book I have of floor plans from various TV sitcoms? I bet you'd like it.
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds amazing. I bet I could DRAW a lot of those floor plans, more or less!
DeleteWhat a treat for the fox! That student is a gifted artist. I doubt that I could draw anything that well. Painting or any household renovation is stressful and chaotic. It's hard to live through. (feels never-ending)
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing about the dog -- I couldn't have done it that well!
DeleteThat dog is hysterical - I'd hate to see an UNfriendly one. Ha!
ReplyDeleteInstead of drooling there would be blood dripping from its chops!
DeleteI love the dog picture! You made that fox very happy!
ReplyDeleteYeah, probably the best day that fox has had in a while.
DeleteYes, it will be good when the painting is all done and you can get back to normal.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
We are so looking forward to it! (Well, as I type this, it actually IS done. But I'm thinking retroactively. :) )
DeleteCodex: It's weird that you call it cultural detritus when it's a history of graphic design, curatorial and anthropologist dig out desert shards with a brush.
ReplyDeleteFerocious dog from a kids perspective is hilarious. Just learned what cutting in means.
Well, yes, that's what makes it appealing -- the graphic design and the evolution of the packaging. But it's cultural detritus too.
DeleteAll that good food keeps the fox coming for more.
ReplyDeleteLevi shows artistic ability as well as humor. The kid's got talent.
Painting provides a nice refresh. It's the painting process and disruption that is not so great.
I agree -- I think Levi is quite talented. Not many kids would choose to depict a dog head-on and do so well with it.
Delete