Like Paint Drying

 Farmer MacGregor is a paint master.  No painted surface on our house or garden can be called "shabby chic". All - and I mean ALL - painted surfaces are well maintained to keep that Disneyland-like look.  Farmer MacGregor works hard to keep things just so.  His idea of a great summer outing with the garden gnomes was to take a ride down to the local paint and wallpaper store.  He was the only one convinced that was a great idea.  As summer began (Forget the calendar.  Summer started a long time ago here in Bakersfield.), the windows were washed then the trim was painted.  Next was painting the doors and shutters.  His day starts very early so that the bulk of work is finished before the heat hits.  He's allowed to go outside several times and admire his handiwork.  "Just look at that shine!"  Yup. 

The paint is not the only thing that thrives in this dry heat.  Some of the plants actually like it too.  Oh, they'll wither and poop out by summer's end; but for now summer is a good thing.  I only say that because the air conditioners are working beautifully.

Bougainvillea - Barbara Karst

Windows

I like clean windows.  I wash them regularly.  I do not notice anyone else in my neighborhood or any other neighborhood for that matter washing their windows.  Wait.  There is one exception in Riviera Westchester.  That man keeps his windows clean and I’ve seen him washing them himself.  Good job, man.

Farmer MacGregor enjoys painting.  To be clear, he enjoys the way everything looks once it has been painted.  No.  Not painting like Frederic Remington or Charles M. Russell.  More like painting like the fellas on the Golden Gate Bridge.   He dedicates massive amounts of time maintaining the old homestead.  Once he’s finished, he starts all over again.

This weekend he gave a fresh coat to the windows then cleaned the windows.  Excellent.  I believe I may have seen a neighbor or two peeking out of their dirty, dusty windows saying, “There he goes again.  Dang that Farmer MacGregor.”