THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, September 16, 2010
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by Dr. Debi Warner Contributing Writer
Dear Dr. Debi, Considering all that’s
going on, we don’t figure on a big project right now. But we are itching to roll on something. What might be good to do? Signed,
Wanting Progress
Dear Unharnessed Energy, It is not essential to al-
ways have a big project underway. You can have a chance to do routine maintenance and even en- joy your place in the mean time. Using your home for living is one of those things that people build houses for! What might be routine to get into when fall comes? This is a great time
to enjoy some outdoor sprucing up. The weather is mild and invites par- ticipation for good efforts. Just laying aside time for outdoors at the house can bring you great joy and also a spiffy outcome. Let’s see what mischief we can get into.
The borders of lawns where you have plantings or fencing may be invaded by weeds. You can dive in those spots and pull out weeds. It is nice to get the roots too. You can use a hoe or get in there with your gloved hands and separate the unwanted plants from the intend- ed ornamentals. Making the soil moist beforehand lends to easier pulling. Once you get this area set the way you like, you can cover with mulch and prepare for the next year. Some folks might use a bit of plastic under their mulch if they have out of control weeds. A little tip for cleaning
hands after soil work, is to use dish soap like a hand lotion before you start and the nails will clean up so easily afterward. You might have a spot
that is chronically over- grown despite you usual yearly efforts. Some folks choose to turn over that area with their rototiller, then cover the entire spot with black plastic and leave it fallow a year to kill off the weeds completely. You just might have a lovely spot going well. You can enhance it by trim- ming the nearby grass and putting some edging to protect encroachment. There may be some
plants you wish you could keep into the winter. Some herbs may beckon you to prepare them for a win- ter stay inside. Basil and chives really call out in their lush abundance.
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Maybe you have some rosemary; Mmm for your roasts and sauces. You certainly can dig up por- tions of these plants to place in pots for your win- ter kitchen. Pick out the pots and
their places they will go before you start planting. You need to especially plan for sunshine and how their watery base will be handled in your indoor spot on floors or furniture. Placing a wet pot on the wood floor by your sunny window may be pretty when they show off their bountiful fragrant leaves, but not after you move it in the spring and see the stains from the mois- ture. Now, you may need to build a quick holder with protected surfaces for your new indoor herb garden. A quick task on a fall day. Also be sure to use clean
soil for plants you bring indoors. Commercial pot- ting soil is more com- patible with your indoor insect intolerance than garden soil. You may also see house
repairs that ought to be handled now while it is comfortable and easy. Loose roof shingles may
need tacking down and patching. Get assistance for your upper work, even if you don’t need it, since it will make everyone more at ease. Even if your help- er is just nearby in the yard, at least there is the comfort they can offer help when called, with the lad- der, or to hand you a tool, or to fetch something. The teamwork in the
comfortable cool air, the flexibility in choosing and mixing tasks, assisting each other here and there, moving about and breath- ing the fresh air, all make for a great atmosphere of cooperative activity. You might cover 20 tasks, most tiny and a few big, not knowing what you really did with the day, but you have improved the base of your prop- erty overall, set it up for
healthy replenishment, and spent great time out- side with yourself and people you care about. The ease of the day
and the refreshing ac- tivity gives you a sense of accomplishment and worthy fatigue. You rest that evening and cooper- ate on eating plans also. Maybe sorting chores in the meal preparation in new ways, reflecting some new patterns tried in the day. A little change with the ease of fatigue lets new things happen inside the house too. Tomorrow maybe back to usual, or perhaps you keep a few new habits and options open, even garnishing with herbs from the new kitchen garden.
Happy Home Team! Dr. Debi
Dr. Debi Warner is the Founder of Renovation Psychology® and
author of Putting the Home Team to Work, available now online. Dr. Debi provides advice for greater domestic harmony to folks who are renovating their home – for True Home Improvement. This column is offered for enjoyment and enhancement and is not intended to replace your personal medical care. Photo by Bob Jenks, St. Johnsbury, Vt. Dr. Debi has a con- sultation practice, visiting home sites all over New England from her studio in Littleton, NH at the Tannery Marketplace. © 2009 Renovation Psychology® Questions are welcome.
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