The Arduous Case of the Recalcitrant Wardrobe

Roy and I were advised to add a wardrobe or armoire to our second bedroom in order to make the Wayland house more attractive for sale. After much hemming and hawing, internet window shopping, and visits to almost every kind of furniture store, we bought Lowe's "better" quality wardrobe kit.

In one word: DON'T.

It was difficult to put together. Some parts were not labeled. Others were not as pictured. Because of the weight of the composite boards, we added wood glue to beef up the performance of the small pegs and screws provided. We let the basic shell dry, or thought we left it alone long enough to dry. But when we stood it upright, the WHOLE THING collapsed like a house of cards.

Phase One, when the project was merely difficult.

I don't have a picture of The Fall, but I can assure you it was spectacular.

Such an event tests the mettle of a handyman. Roy passed. I would have stuffed the whole mess into the trunk of the Civic and returned it to Lowe's. Instead, we laboriously rebuilt the cabinet, adding longer screws in between those provided. We let it dry much longer, then gingerly lifted it upright. No fall. Even so, we jammed it between the wall and another piece of furniture for the night, as it still swayed sideways.

Next day we bought a piece of Masonite-type material at The Home Depot  and nailed on a backing. No way were we going to trust the cardboard backing from the kit. Stabilized, the wardrobe stood fairly still to receive its doors and shelves. We held our breaths while Roy fitted the doors into their hinges. With a few clever twirls of a screwdriver, Roy closed the gap between the closed doors. Victoire!

Electric tools speed progress,
but they can also speed regress!

This piece of furniture looks quite bland, even innocent.

Roy and I know better, and so do you.

Handyman victorious.

If you are the lucky person to buy our Wayland house, please treasure this closet. It challenged the endurance and emotional stability of a handyman and helper, and they triumphed.

A Hummock in the Hammock

It was too hot today to do anything but occupy the hammock and read my grandmother's first novel, The Old Ashburn Place -- or rather, reread it after several years' lapse. Reading Margaret Flint's work draws back into me a strong sense of place and belonging that transcends where I am at any moment, or who I am with, no matter how beloved.

The view of my hammock.

The view from my hammock. Hi, Roy.

And looking up from my hammock.

Openwork hammocks are best enjoyed when placed on a deck or patio. Otherwise, bugs in the grass make the great leap upward for fresh protein. Ouch! Slap! We put this hammock on the brick patio Roy built. Oh, you can move it onto the lawn and still enjoy the experience, if you place a tablecloth or blanket underneath to block the leetle jumpers.

You may notice that the real estate ad on my blog has changed. After a year on the market with no takers, the Wayland, Massachusetts, house is reverting for awhile to simply a home. Cool. There is one final showing Monday, and if that doesn't result in a sale, we are taking the house off our broker's hands. However, if you've been wanting to explore the possibility of living in this beauty spot but have not acted on your wish, just give us a call. And if you are really, really good, we might throw in the hammock for good measure. By the way, the "Hummock" in the title of this blog?  Me.

Come live in Wayland

This sweet house is waiting for its new family.
It's a great place for a couple to start out.
A great place to raise a family -- or not. 
A great place to retire.
Come and see.

Quiet, safe living, just 10 minutes from major
shopping areas, 25 minutes from Boston.

Enter from the driveway, up the red brick walkway.
Lots of perennial beds, a variety of trees and shrubs.

Sudbury River flows nearby.

Looking west from #84 --
gravel section of the Circle.
Great Meadows National
Wildlife Refuge is directly
across the street.

Looking east from #84 --
paved suburban street.
Friendly neighborhood.

Deck is a bird mecca and a long-season Shangri-la for the family.

Sunny, convenient kitchen.

Master bedroom.
Notice ceiling fans throughout.

Bathroom off hall. Public water
supply; private, state-of-the-art
septic system.

Note the refinished hardwood
floors throughout.

Front door and stairwell.

Living room with fireplace.

From the west. House has high quality, new windows.

Old Grist Mill, one of many historic sites nearby.

See MLS# at top of posting.

Life as it should be

 

Here is a panorama video of the view off the deck of my house that is for sale, 179 Friendship St., Waldoboro, Maine. 

In case you can't play videos, here are some still shots:

#179 Friendship St. barn and house are on the far right.

Medomak river valley --
view from kitchen, dining room, deck,
two bedrooms, and attic!

Dining room end of the kitchen.
In the winter, I put an easy chair
before that stove.

Sun room, southern exposure.

Finishing touch to repainting.

The neighborhood.

Russian iris in the rock garden.

Deck living.

Back yard and view in winter.

A "soft morning" along the Maine coast.

Midcoast Maine is a great place to live:  mild, 4-season climate; lots of educational and cultural activities.  You can catch the bus to Boston right in town, but you also can disappear into the country.

See MLS# at top of posting.