8~9~25 7:30 80f Clear, blue sky with the sunning dropping low in the west, casting golden beams of light through the almost invisible haze of fire season.

I painted the back decks yesterday, and soaked the soft spots with Minwax wood hardener. This morning I filled the holes with Minwax epoxy wood patch, which I sanded this afternoon after it had hardened in the sun. I touched them up with paint, then started rolling on another coat across the entire expanse. The rails have three coats. The small deck outside the slider has three coats, the main deck has two coats and the landing by the hot tub has one coat. I will need to do another coat by the tub and the rails and steps by the hot tub need some attention, but that will need to wait until I feel better.

I almost went up in the woods this afternoon instead of painting, but I fell asleep. It was getting late when I woke up and I decided it might not be a good idea to go out alone until I was entirely well. So I did a marathon painting spree – that makes sense, doesn’t it?

The dog and cat have been fed, my soup is on the stove and I’m sitting in my underwear drinking a beer.  Ta for now.

8/5/25 First coat on deck outside of slider. The main deck is still being sanded and prepped.

Minwax wood hardener

Holes filled with Minwax wood filler.

8/9/25 7:30 p.m. Deck painted. Time for a beer.