Light and Dark

We got a text from Mike last night saying that today was supposed to be a dry day and he would like to get started on our deck rebuild.  We are replacing the old deck with fire resistant ipe wood and a black metal railing. Our primary motivation was fire safety, but I have to admit that I have never liked the decking or the railings out there and was happy to have a good reason to change them.

They arrived this morning at about 8:30 this morning and went right to work. Removing the screws from the old boards was the hardest part. It was cloudy and cold this morning, about 40F/4C with a cutting wind but Mike was right. It hasn't rained all day, nor did any of the guys remove their warm jackets and hats.

My picture today shows Aurelio removing the last of the old decking and Victor, who has his back to the camera and sort of blends in with the barbecue,  beginning to take down the railings.  The light is just coming over the hill but hasn't reached their level yet. I wish I had had the camera ready to take a picture of Aurelio carrying an intact 14' long board down the stairs through the garage and out to the driveway. 

We had to close the dog door which opens on to this deck, and Spike is  confused. I realized how programmed he is with his routines when I took him out the TV room door for a little Kong chasing. That went better than I thought it would since all the furniture from the porch is back there, but when it came time to go in the same door he went out he balked and needed some coaxing back into the house. He is used to going around the corner and back into the house through his dog door. 

While the guys were working out there they were vigilant when Spike was about to step out the back door into the abyss. John had opened the door to talk to them but quickly closed it. We smiled when they left, putting blue painters' tape across the door in case somebody forgot.* As if....

*extra