Plans for a New Back Porch

Our back porch has never been under much consideration. It serves a function and it's just there. Dan had to add the railings when we first moved in, but other than that, it hasn't factored into our remodeling ideas. 

Old photo from 2011. It was the best I could find to show you the whole area.

The problem has been the steps. I'm not sure who built them; I suppose the same guy who did all the other puzzling things we've discovered as we've repaired and remodeled this 100-year-old house. Both the rise and run of each step is slightly different. The tread width of our stairs varies from 8 to 9 inches for each step, while the standard is a minimum of 10 inches (consistent for each step!) The run varies between 7 and 8 inches, which is fine except each step is different. These things make them awkward to ascend and descend, especially when carrying things. From time to time, Dan has mentioned building a deck to replace them, but it wasn't until the other day that we got to talking and said, why not? 

The plan is to make the deck width from the blue exterior wall of 'the addition' to the near edge of the existing porch (12 feet). The length will be from the back door, ending before the corner downspout and Japanese maple tree (14 Feet). A landing and stairs will be built alongside, the stairs facing the same direction they are now. 

So that's the plan. In the meantime, Dan continues his calculations and we begin to collect materials.

The red box houses our solar battery bank. It can't be moved and so defines the deck width.

So we ended up with a project for 2026 after all. 😃

Plans for a New Back Porch © Sept. 2026

 by Leigh at https://www.5acresandadream.com

Sam's Haiku

Sam's gone walk-about.

Daily I search, call his name.

Only Wind answers.

Sam's Haiku © August 2026 by Leigh

 at https://www.5acresandadream.com

"She Needs Somebody to Play With"

After we took in Violet, our ankles became the victims of energetic kitten attacks featuring prickly claws and teeth. 

Dan: She needs somebody to play with.

Me: She's got us.

Dan: No, she needs somebody to play with.

Me: We don't need another cat.

Dan: She needs somebody to play with.

Me: We've got enough cats. 

Dan: She needs somebody to play with.

Me: What would we do with another cat?

And then, one recent day, this showed up in our carport.

Terribly timid, hungry, and feral, it wouldn't let us near it. Where in the world did it come from? I believe it's female and a little older than Violet; charcoal in color with similar tuxedo markings. Maybe they have the same daddy?

I immediately set about trying to figure out what to do with it. A neighbor down the street was looking for another cat, maybe he would take it? No response from Dan so I said, "We don't need with another cat." To this Dan replied, "She's an answer to a prayer." What could I say to that?

We're still not allowed to touch her, but we can come within three feet, two if I have a dish of milk or food. Reaching hands are immediately run away from. She won't come into the house.

If she is going to stay she'll need to be tamed enough to take her to the vet. Both kittens need their shots and will need to be spayed. 

One step at a time I reckon.

"She Needs Somebody to Play With" © Aug 2026

 by Leigh at https://www.5acresandadream.com