Last year about this time, the covered patio/pergola was finished. We had to get electricians out to install lights, a fan and outlets. I kept asking Vince . . when are we going to call the electrician? He’d say “after winter” or “once I get the deck stained” or 100 other reasons. I don’t know why – it would probably have been way cheaper to have done this 10 months ago because everything has gone up in price.
The big push came once we got Oscar. There’s one outside light over the garage door downstairs and one over the sewing room door but once we installed cameras, those lights became part of the security system and they are motion lights. They come on, film whatever is going on, then they go off.
Oscar and I go outside. Oscar walks around the yard for 10 minutes. The lights only stay on for about 2 minutes and go off as soon as we walk out of video range so either Oscar and I are out walking in the dark or I take a flashlight. Of course I take a flashlight which means bugs come to the light so instead of doing his business, Oscar is chasing bugs. I try shining the light off in the distance so he isn’t noticing bugs but I really need to shine it where we’re walking.
Today the electricians are here working. That makes me very happy. Oscar and I will have lights . . though it doesn’t look like it’s going to get finished tonight. That’s ok . . we’ll have them tomorrow night.
One of the things I want to do is put up cute lights for the seasons. These are the ones I just ordered for Halloween.
I’m sure Oscar will be afraid of them at first.
We’ll also have a fan on the porch so we can sit out and hopefully the bugs will stay away and we’ll stay somewhat cool. I think that’s about the last of our projects except for the fence which gets done in about two weeks. Then we should be done with projects . . at least for a while.
Nelle Coursey says
Great idea!
Liz says
Is the fence project the one for Oscar?
Once that is in, you can sit and watch Oscar run around, especially if you put a few solar lights out in the yard to attract the bugs.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
It isn’t just for Oscar. It’s a 6′ wood fence around a good chunk of the back yard. We won’t leave him out alone. He’s probably too big for a hawk to carry off but they could try to get him and hurt him. We’ve been waiting for quite a while for the fence. We’re on their calendar for August 16 so I’m happy it’s getting close.
Dorothy Matheson says
My two also go out into a fenced yard and I most of the time sit out with them till they do their business. One likes the yard and the other does not. The grass is burned away now because it is so dry in Texas
Donna in KS says
Those lights look great! I really like seeing the way people light up their yards and patios these days and seasonally. I know you will enjoy as well as having additional lighting for those necessary nighttime outings.
Tee says
The best thing we did outside was to put a fan on the porch. It is the best for keeping flies out of our drinks!