Remember last year?
We had five newborn kittens at Petty Gulf and it was Granny Camp week. Jack had got the idea of our having a Florida Gator Porch and we had ordered furniture online - it was in the garage that Monday morning.
There were a canvas tailgating table, and four chairs, a cooler, a beanbag chair and some beach towels and rugs. Kittens could play on it, sleep in it, and scratch it. All the while, we ate there, lounged there, enjoyed our summertime together.
Jack had a good idea about what to do with the porch furniture and enlisted Tom's help. What harm could they do? Out onto the patio with the extra (but matching) pieces! He arranged the outdoor room into kind of a sitting area. "Now Granny, you can have more ladies over than before. AND you can also show them the Gator porch!" His work was done.
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| Bare Gator Porch waiting Tom's touch! |
That's where Tom came in. He arranged potted plants, pillows, a big round rug, hanging ferns, and duck decoys. When he was done, the patio was amazing.
We all got busy with the Gator porch, which we left in use until after football season. Same again! Jack arranged the furniture with our help. But not until we had played all afternoon with the hose on the porch, "...scrubbing it down, Granny."
Tom put the finishing touches on. Gator cups, towels, a rug, a doormat, a lamp, a radio. The lamp and the radio are still there. I overwintered them.
Granny Camp went super fast this year! We worked a little in the newly-designed and cat-proof plant stand that we thought up last fall. A way to have flowers and plants seen "from in the house" and "on the porch" without Belle and the Fab Five dining on ferns and throwing up aloe and begonias. A great use of Squirrel's cage!
One afternoon midweek, we were casually talking over grilled cheese and tomato soup. I was saying how hard it is sleeping in my big bedroom with lights from TV, internet modem, remote control security, and the flood light next door.
Jack thought of Uncle Steve. "In Jacksonville, Granny."
Steven has a downstairs gaming/television/office-type room with a guest bed in it. "But you, Granny, would have a BEDROOM with television, computers, iPads, Kindles, kitty beds, a litter box bathroom, and a big closet." Tom grinned, "YOU COULD SLEEP SOMEWHERE ELSE, GRANNY!"
We immediately cleaned our plates and headed for the other side of the house. We had already decided that if Ian ever spent the night, he could sleep in Tom and Jack's bed (the Red Room) because it's a twin. They always sleep in the guest room (the Blue Room) anyway. I could have it otherwise, they suggested.
When Ian came with them, I could (huge grins, now) sleep with them or (diabolical smiles) suffer in our new office. With a bed in it! Queensize! If only the two of them came, problem solved. I would sleep in the small bed with the sailboats on the headboard, children's artwork on every wall, and lots of memories of when Pops was a boy like them. My favorite room in the house!
So, I've been casually moving things around. The Blue Room is the perfect room for sleeping. No electronics, no television, no radio, a bed placed properly for the chi to flow, a Feng Shui delight! Not to mention an almost never slept on mattress.
Today I worked on our office. Jack decided beforehand where everything should go. Tom suggested the finishing touches. They don't realize they do it.
If life were a photoshoot, Jack would be in charge of the big picture - he sees the final results in his mind and tells his brother his ideas. Once they agree (sometimes they don't) Tom is the one who makes the idea sing.
If life were a photoshoot, Jack would find the beach, or choose the food, or contract with the rock star. Tom would act as stylist. The perfect beach furnishings and colors, the most delicious looking plate of mouthwatering food, the unforgettable singer with the perfect hair, avant-garde clothes, and a makeup job to die for!
We nearly have an office this afternoon. We only need a few things. I'm already feeling relaxed about it, sitting here writing to you. This is by far the coziest this big green bedroom has every been. I've washed the cat throws and there are kittens sleeping in three little beds.
The light is very different slanting through the open blinds behind the half-raised paper accordion shades. Electronics are proudly beaming now, as if they own the place. The room is the same and yet so different - modern and comfortable - thanks to a couple of almost-nine-year-olds!
