The First Coat

I love that first coat of sunshine as it crests the mountain and bathes the skeletal remains of the tall flower meadow in a glowing light. A coat of frost makes it even better.

And when it had warmed a tad, I headed next door for some sunny day winter projects. The first coat of paint was applied to the newly refurbished arbor.

I removed, as in killed, the invasive Oriental Bittersweet vine that had covered it and replaced the rotten lintels. One more coat and it will be ready to plant something nice like a giant bloomed clematis vine.

A new handrail by newly reconfigured steps got its first coat of paint. The new step configuration isn't exactly standard to code. I have walked up and down them over and over to try and convince myself it was good enough and I wouldn't need to take out that last old cemented in step. Didn't work. It is better yes, but they are too odd. I need to break out the sledge hammer again and make it right.

The garden's sign post lost it's arm in last year's ice storm when the top of a sassafras bounced off it. It is repaired and drying after it's first coat of paint.

I can't quite scratch these projects off the list yet, but progress has been made. Another sunny, above freezing day when I'm not working should do it.

I start moving after that first coat of light breaks up the chill. By the middle of next June I hope to be working on a brand new list.