In 2020, the outdoor bench came into the yard and it’s at the top of the list of ‘best purchases’ made while living here. It soothes my soul seeing it sitting by the firepit while looking out a window and sitting on it became a landmark of sorts to Marco Polo friends.
This wasn’t a hugely expensive bench, but it’s solid and has withstood the test of time, except for the finish. The birds and squirrels love using it as a perch. The squirrels get a running start and use it as a ramp to catapult onto one of the nearby trees. Over time, their tiny talons scratched the finish to the point where there was hardly any stain finish left! Pondering my options, I asked a couple of craftsmen for advice, but when it was all said and done, here’s the bench today.
I listened to their advice, but went my own way.
Craftsmen have a deep appreciation of wood, which I can respect, but they recommended sanding and then oiling, or re-staining it back to it’s natural beauty. Well….there’s a can of porch paint sitting on a shelf in the building out back with a price tag on the lid of $1.00. At some point this can of paint was sitting on the ‘oops’ shelf at the local hardware store and came home with me because it’s red. Not knowing at the time what it would be used for, but knowing the brand was ridiculously priced at $1.00 and too good to pass up.
Perfectionism wasn’t invited, so there’s no red paint between each slat. The idea was for it to look better, not perfect, and that kept it playful.
I felt led to use that can of paint instead of buying a new one, which it’s important to use what we have instead of always buying new. By asking for an expert opinion, our options expand and reveal direction, but in the end our actions need to bring a smile to our lips. Sorry fellas, but for this bench, I see red.
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Inbarbsworld 
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