Autumnal Equinox
Well, so it's the first day of Fall — happy equinox! (8:40 AM PDT) I wrapped up my summer by implementing the first two pieces of a cat containment system. Last week, I ordered a cat fence for the back yard, which I expect to be delivered later this week. Meanwhile, I went over to Home Depot yesterday and picked up some aluminum flashing and concrete for a couple additional areas of the yard that need to be secured.
The west side of the yard is a chain link fence that is completely overgrown with ivy and other foliage. Normally, the cat's don't try to get up on this fence. However, there is a pool enclosure (pictured right) that the cats like to jump up on, and from here, they can walk up to the fence and slip over into the neighbor's yard. This area poses some challenges, as it needs to remain accessible to humans for pool maintenance. After some discussion, the helpful staff at Affordable Cat Fence recommended attaching some aluminum flashing to the top of the enclosure. This should prevent the cats from jumping up on the edge, as their claws won't have anything to hang on to.
The next challenge was to secure the back gate. There's about a 4-inch gap underneath the gate that the kittles can slip through.
So I poured some concrete to raise the ground surface up to the surrounding brick. This narrows the gap to about 2", which ought to be sufficient.
Hopefully, we should finish installing the rest of the cat fence by the end of next weekend.
On another note, the Chorale Bel Canto is in full swing. Tonight will be our third rehearsal. We're singing works by Monteverdi, Ives, Gabrieli, and Distler, which is in German. I've not sung any choral works in German before. Also, I was invited to participate in a smaller chamber ensemble, which will be performing the "Hymn to St. Cecilia" by Benjamin Britten. Looks like it's going to be a fun and challenging season.
This coming Saturday, my brother is hosting a block party. He'll be doing most of the live entertainment, though I do plan to play a few pieces. I've picked out some favorites by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, and Jerome Kern. It's a potluck, so I'll probably bring some of that tasty pumpkin cheesecake.
Anyway, so, happy equinox. Hope your season is brisk and refreshing.
