Winter projects

Well, dear Reader, here we go racing to the end of February, our shortest month of the year.

My birth month, thanks to my beloved mother and father, Sadie and Warren O’Brien.

Hence, time to review my lifespan, pause before the list of my 2026 goals this morning; spiritual/relational, professional, and household.

I note two puny 2026 accomplishments.

Well, on second thought, the fact that my dining room table holds folders prepared with my 2025 tax return papers is indeed a remarkable feat. A weight lifted with the help of a brother-in-law and neighbor.

Furthermore, I thank God for a friend who recommended her tax veteran who offers his exceptional preference to travel to his client’s residence. Lord willing, I’ll have a pot of hot coffee and some mocha pecan scones ready for him April 8 at 10:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, I also searched the proverbial high and low to find a local attorney who specializes in living trusts.

Now, I plan to eat well, refrain from alcohol consumption, love my neighbor as myself, and serve God with all my heart to live a long, joyful life.

Who else could love Mittens and Cuddles as I do?

However, we don’t know our date with death, so my appointment with the trust lawyer is March 12.

Meanwhile, the third category of my 2026 goals being “household”, my abused kitchen floor begged for a facelift. The fleeting thought to hire a contractor to remove the scratched and stained wood and install a new floor tempted me a few blinks.

Then, I heard my late husband’s voice. “Try refreshing first.”

As Mel Underwood loved and knew his business in floor-covering, I listened.

“Good idea,” I replied, removed the bottle of refresher from under the kitchen sink and read directions.

I carried the kitchen table and four chairs into the dining room. Then the two stools the cats sit on before the kitchen’s sliding glass door.

There, the two sisters birdwatch and speak in quivering tongues.

The plantstand in the corner with the hoya and chicken chair joined the furniture in the dining room.

All the while I repeated, “This is worth the work. The floor is going to love you for this and shine like glass.”

So, I vacuumed and mopped the floor. Talked with my Kentucky sister and brother-in-law while the wood dried.

Then I applied the “refresher” and turned in the for night.

Dear Reader, disappointed in the results, I used the remainder of the refresher for a second coat this morning, and still, no shine.

Well, I’ve a memoir cookbook to complete with what’s left of this winter, and won’t waste another minute on a glossy kitchen floor.

Clean will have to do.

Contact Iris at irisfarmletters@gmail.com