It was the first of May, and the deck by the pond needed a fresh coat of stain. The pond itself could use a good cleaning as well.
I noticed that another of the short-lived poplar trees I planted a few years ago had bitten the dust during the winter. I’d cut it down and turn it into firewood after staining the deck.
As I walked through the yard I gave a quick nod to the unfinished brick patio next to the pond. I had worked on it last summer but ran out of time. It would take no more than a day to finish. I penciled it in for later that week.
Several trees needed pruning, and the previous year I had laid out a footpath around the back of the house to connect the deck and pond with the existing patio outside the dining room.
Last on the list was the small yard on the south side of the house. It had been neglected for two years, ever since I had torn down the tool shed that had finally collapsed. Weeds had taken over, and I had exciting plans for a new hydrangea garden.
All of these tasks would be done before Memorial Day. Easy-peasy. Then I could focus on my little sailboat and get it ready for a long summer of sailing.
On my way home from the hardware store with a fresh can of deck stain, it started to sprinkle. By the time I got to the house, it was pouring. It continued to pour for the remainder of the week, the week after that. And pretty much non-stop for the next six weeks.
I spent a lot of time brooding and gazing out the window. Waves lapped at the side of the house and flotillas of leaves floated by on the breeze. A soggy Memorial Day came and went, followed by the wettest month of June on record.
I mowed when I could between squalls. There was a seaside quality to the air. Several times I heard the screeching of seagulls. The only other sound was the rumble of distant thunder. More rain was on the way.
The rains continued into July. We donned raincoats and planted ferns at the rear of the house. A good choice. Ferns love rain.
Then one day the sun came out. Things dried up, temperatures soared and it was August.
I stained the deck, trimmed the trees and planted a few hydrangeas. I made a promise to the unfinished patio and footpath. I’d get them finished by fall, and cut down the dead tree.
I went sailing once. I promised my little boat an early start next spring.
