Tuesday, June 24, 2025

OPERATION FLOOR

 


Here's the thing. You've been busy focusing on Iran, Israel, WWIII and America's popular President. Fine, go right ahead, think those thoughts, but here at the Compound we've been getting down to business, taking out old, dirty, dingy carpet from upstairs.




You see, back in the halcyon 1980s the local Power decided to put industrial carpet up the stairs and through the upper corridor. It had to go and now it's gone, revealing the original pinewood boards, most of which simply need a clean, and others which have to be stripped of offending varnish. Have a look at the latter:





No big deal and we'll get on it tomorrow, but first things first. Behold a refreshing pitcher of Pimm's No. 1. Recipe: Squeeze 6 lemons, add 1/2 cup of simple syrup (sugar melted in water) and a liter of soda water; set it aside, it's lemonade. 

Be bold, pour a solid half a bottle of Pimm's and a serious slug of gin into some crystal over ice, Steuben will do, then add lemonade along with cucumber, orange, strawberries and fresh mint. The latter's important, don't forget it. It's like a rule. And then hey presto, you've got a refreshing fruit punch, 1820s style, and mighty tasty it is too.





And there you have it, long drinks and OPFLOOR Stage 1. Tomorrow we strip the boards and finish with wax. More on this exciting plan as it develops; it's no small thing, dear friends, to have such hideous, noxious carpet out of the house.

Long Time Coming,

LSP

9 comments:

  1. A nice posting to start my morning.

    Seems if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself with most home projects lately. Most of my handymen of good character have aged out.

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    1. Glad it was agreeable, M.

      Totally agree on the project thing. Annoying but does save money, for what it's worth at present.

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  2. How delightful. Love the base line in that tune, and love the look of a good hardwood floor. Maybe put a carpet runner down the finished hall floor?

    I prefer the original to the live version here, but at about the 33.00 mark, they just nail it with "Suite Judy Blue Eyes".

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vV5VSxsMLw

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    1. A couple of rather battered "Turkey rugs" should do the trick, RHT. Nice link!

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  3. You're off to a grand start LSP. It is surprising what lurks beneath the modern finishes in an older home.

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    1. DOS, been putting off this floor thing for ages, but so good to get it done. Man, you couldn't even get the same wood today. Maybe the carpet/varnish did us a favor in preserving it. Let's see how it turns out.

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  4. Strip out the carpet???????

    If you do, you might have to cut your hair.

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    1. Wild, I remember an evening back in the '80s, yes, there was Pimm's, and "almost cut my hair" sprang up out of the hi-fi. Someone, a friend's wife, perhaps, uttered, "Well, it's about time you did, isn't it." She was a school teacher.

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  5. All it took was a woman's touch. MRSLSP is showing her hand.

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