Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

For much of the country, the outdoor living season is coming to an end.  But, for the millions of people enjoying warm weather all year long, it is prime time to get started on a fantastic outdoor living area.  Plus, for those that are already hankering for the dawn of spring… now is the time to begin planning large scale outdoor structure projects.  Saving your logistics and design considerations for spring will mean that projects may not be completed until the season is already well underway.

When looking to create a vacation at home, great inspiration can be drawn from hotels, resorts, and destination spots.  After all, they’re the experts in crafting spaces that exude the luxury of a summer holiday.  Whether or not you live in the tropics, you can design an outdoor space fit for relaxation retreats.

Recently, a Bermuda resort created a combined pool structure using a gazebo and two pergolas. The 14x 18 treated pine rectangular double roof gazebo was simplified by removing the floor and railings while larger custom posts were added to create drama.  Two attached treated pine pergolas expand the space while adding a dynamic architectural element to the gazebo. The perfect blend of shade and style, a similar structure would do very well poolside in a residential home as well.  The resort created a small grilling and cooking area, but it could easily be expanded to a full outdoor kitchen.

The resort decked out their structure with an outdoor dining set, two chaise lounges, and some extra patio chairs.  However, adding a swingbed, porch swing, and a deep seating collection would add another level of relaxation for entertaining.

If you’re interested in creating an at-home oasis, don’t be afraid to take tips from the professionals.  Plus, start planning, designing, and thinking now when many outdoor furniture retailers are running discounts and sales so you can start the first warm day of spring in your retreat!

Have Fun!

Hazel

Tags: chaise lounges, deep seating collection, gazebo, Gazebos, outdoor dining set, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor structure, patio chairs, Pergolas, pool structure, porch swing, rectangular double roof gazebo, swing bed, treated pine pergolas

Labor Day has come and gone; and, in its wake, it has left millions of people shaking their heads – as they do every year – and wondering how summer managed to slip away so quickly.  In many regions, there are also those who are mourning the passing of the season, as it means that they’ll soon be moving patio furniture, picnic tables, and grills into their sheds until next spring.

Naturally, these items won’t have to be tucked away under outdoor furniture covers just yet, as there’s still plenty of fair weather left, even in areas where the winters are harsh.  Moreover, those who live where it’s always warm can use their outdoor furniture all year long, as can people who have enclosed porches, patios, gazebos, and sunrooms.  Truly, the latter group is growing larger every year, as folks are becoming increasingly unwilling to give up outdoor living.

Of course, they want to be able to decorate these living spaces as meticulously and fashionably as their other indoor rooms.  That’s why today’s outdoor furniture comes in materials, styles, and colors that will complement any motif; and why it’s also as versatile and comfortable as indoor furniture.  In fact, when you’re furnishing your indoor/outdoor living room – or kitchen, or bedroom – you may even find that patio furniture offers more choices.

Take, for example, the basic chair.  Sure, there was a time when the patio chair bore little resemblance to the one in the living room.  Often made with a flimsy aluminum frame, and stiff, woven plastic strips, it barely had the strength to last for more than one season.  Modern porch chairs, on the other hand, are solidly constructed from a variety of materials, including cedar, pine, oak, cypress, teak, cherry, vinyl, aluminum, cast iron, synthetic wicker, and polywood.  They are also available in dozens of colors and styles, and can be topped with outdoor furniture cushions in scores of colors and patterns.

When you’re trying to find the equivalent of a couch, the outdoor sofa actually comes out ahead of its indoor counterpart.   After all, besides a stationary outdoor sofa, you have the option of selecting a garden bench, porch swing, glider, face-to-face glider, or outdoor settee, which also come in a wide range of materials and colors.  This goes for outdoor loveseats, too.

Certainly, you’ll also want a rocker; inside or out, it’s a universal favorite.  As a matter of fact, most people have rockers that they have cherished for years; and, in many cases, these rocking chairs have been in their families for generations.  Fortunately, contemporary outdoor rocking chairs are not only as comfortable – and comforting – as the old-fashioned ones, but they are durable enough to become heirlooms as well.  What’s more, if you’re not satisfied with an outdoor rocker for one, you can get an outdoor rocking bench.

Of course, no room, of any description, is completely furnished until it has a place where you can rest your feet.  That’s no problem, either, because, these days, you can find ottomans in materials, styles, and colors, to match any piece of outdoor furniture.

Hmm.  I wonder if I’m alone in feeling that the plural of ottoman should be ottomen.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: face-to-face glider, garden bench, Gazebos, grills, orroman, Outdoor Furniture, Outdoor Furniture Covers, outdoor furniture cushions, outdoor rocking chairs, outdoor settee, outdoor sofa, patio chair, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch chair, porch glider, porch swing, rockers, rocking chairs, Sunrooms

When thinking about Labor Day weekend, people often picture large backyard cookouts, where burgers are sizzling on the grills, folks are gathered around the picnic tables, and every patio chair, porch swing, glider, and garden bench is occupied.

Of course, not everyone is into this kind of mob scene.  As difficult as it is for many to imagine, there are those who have other things that they would rather be doing on their holidays, besides socializing with tons of people.  Furthermore, even if some are planning to attend one of the events that they are invited to, they may not wish to be overwhelmed with hectic schedules of party-hopping for three days straight.

After all, it is a long weekend; and, because the fair weather may be waning soon, some people look at it as an opportunity to get things done around their houses, before it gets too cold to work outside.  They may be looking forward to getting their gardening tools and wheelbarrows out of their sheds, and spending their holidays just getting dirty in their yards.

Actually, September is one of the favorite months for gardeners, as the temperatures are cooler and more comfortable for working.  At the same time, it’s usually still warm enough for them to relax on their porch chairs or hammocks when they want to rest; and there will be a great need for that, because they have plenty of outdoor chores to keep them busy now.

While many people believe that the only thing to be done in the fall is to reap what was sown in the spring, if you’re a gardener, you know that this is not true.  There is still a lot of planting to do, along with regular maintenance and preparations that will give your lawn and garden a head start on looking their best next year.

For example, the end of the summer is the ideal period for planting several varieties of perennials, shrubs, and trees, including, in many regions, evergreens and heathers.  By putting them into the ground now, you will give them time to establish their roots over the winter months, so that they can produce healthy foliage in the spring.

If you’re not going to be hanging out with the crowds this weekend, you can enjoy browsing nurseries for trees and shrubs that will thrive in your area.  You may want to select some that have edible berries for winter wildlife, or choose ones with leaves that will exhibit spectacular fall colors.

Once the soil temperature drops to below 60 degrees, you can also begin planting the bulbs of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, about three times as deep as their diameters.  Although some people like their tulips in neat rows, you can create a magnificent group display, by planting up to twenty bulbs in a hole that is one foot in diameter, making sure that they are not touching.  If you want to add bursts of fall color, plant some mums, winter pansies, and flowering kale and cabbage.

You can also help to give your lawn a healthy start next spring, by keeping up with your raking.  As fall is usually quite rainy, built-up leaves and grass clippings can turn into thick, wet clumps that are quite inviting to pests; and nobody wants that.

In fact, that’s the very reason why many people avoid large parties – because of all of the pests that are invited!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: garden bench, grills, hammock, patio chair, picnic tables, porch chair, porch glider, porch swing

This is one of those strange weeks, when some prominent beginnings and endings converge, causing a mixture of excitement, wistfulness, anticipation, and melancholy to permeate the air.

First of all, we’re nearing the end of summer, and the indications of fall’s imminent arrival are getting stronger.  In my case, I’ve noticed that my outdoor dining table, patio furniture, and hammock are getting covered with leaves; and when I sit on my porch swing, I’m looking at brown, wilted vines on my arbor and trellises.  I try to tell myself that the leaves are dying early because of the abnormally hot, dry summer, but the truth is hard to deny.

Well, actually, it’s impossible now, because I recently spotted some goldenrod, which is one of the surest signs of autumn.  Then, I saw something else (which, coincidentally, is the same color as goldenrod) that left no doubt about what time of the year it is.  Yes, it was a school bus.

Indeed, that’s one of the things that is fueling this blend of emotions that seems to be affecting everyone right now.  After all, to kids, the close of summer means the opening of school, which is something that they dread.  At the same time, to adults, the close of summer means the opening of school, which is something that they love.

On the other hand, nearly everybody is looking forward to the upcoming holiday weekend.  Because it is widely considered the last blast, and the unofficial end, of summer, it naturally conjures some feelings of sadness.  Still, it is enthusiastically welcomed by kids, who have been working so hard in school for a few days, as well as adults, who have been working so hard all year long, with only a few, brief breaks.  So, it’s an occasion for all to celebrate.

Of course, some people aren’t exactly sure what, or why, they’re celebrating; and many don’t really care, as long as they get a day off, and a chance to use their grills, picnic tables, and Adirondack chairs.  First observed on September 5, 1882, in New York City, Labor Day arose from the labor movement, as a tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers, and their contributions to the country’s prosperity.

The second Labor Day was held exactly one year later; but, in 1884, the first Monday of September was chosen for the holiday, and the Central Labor Union, which started it, urged similar organizations in other cities to mark it as well.  The idea took hold, and, in 1885, it was observed by many industrial centers across the nation.

In the first proposal for the holiday, it was suggested that it should include a street parade, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of workers and their families.  In the ensuing years, different states adopted it, one by one, before Congress passed an act, on June 28, 1894, declaring it a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

So, take full advantage of summer’s last hurrah, by making it a full day of merriment and revelry.  Have a cookout, relax in your favorite porch chair, go swimming, play some lawn games, such as volleyball, croquet, or quoits, and watch some fireworks.

Remember, it’s your day, and you deserve to enjoy it; and, no matter what, don’t feel the slightest bit guilty about making your outdoor furniture and grill work so hard on a holiday!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, arbor, Croquet, grills, hammock, lawn games, outdoor dining table, Outdoor Furniture, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch chairs, porch swing, Quoits, trellises

Because wood patio furniture is more susceptible to damage than other types, such as polywood and aluminum, it’s more likely to end the season with some scratches, chips, gouges, and even burn marks.  Fortunately, you will often be able to fix such afflictions, or, at least, hide them.

Before you attempt any repairs, however, clean the porch swing, patio table, Adirondack chair, or whatever the injured party happens to be.  Start by using a soft, dry brush, to remove dirt, dust, and debris; then smooth out scratches and chips with sandpaper.

Although it’s best to use a product that’s specified as a wood wash, you can clean most outdoor wood furniture with very mild soap diluted in lukewarm water.  Dip a sponge into the mixture, wring out the excess, and gently wipe the surface.  Then, rinse it, blot it with a towel, and allow it to dry thoroughly in the sun before you operate on it.

Superficial scratches are pretty easy to handle, as there are several products made to cover them.  Many solutions can also be found in things that you may already have in your home.  Of course, some of them may sound a bit nutty; for example, you can often rub out a scratch with a pecan (or another nut that has a high oil content), a dab of peanut butter, or olive or vegetable oil.

Another pantry item that can rescue dark wood outdoor furniture is coffee.  Mix one teaspoon of the instant variety with one tablespoon of vegetable oil or water, and work it in gently with a soft rag.  This method can be very successful; but don’t use it on shellac, or antique wood.

Other things that can work well, but which should be tested on inconspicuous spots, are iodine (on reddish finishes, such as mahogany), and liquid and paste shoe polishes.  You can also use felt-tipped markers and softened crayons, and, if necessary, mix their colors to match the wood on your outdoor settee, loveseat, accent table, or whatever you’re mending.

You may be able to fix gouges on outdoor wood furniture with a furniture filler stick, made of wax or putty, and some dark furniture wax, which you’ll find at a wood-finishing supply store.  After cleaning the area with mineral spirits, apply a filler stick that matches the lightest shade of the wood, and then smooth it with a small piece of wood.

Next, buff it gently with superfine steel wool, and then use the dark furniture wax to even out the color.  Because this is a soft filler, it works best on outdoor table legs, the backs of patio chairs, and other parts of outdoor furniture that are not as heavily put-upon as tabletops.

To apply a harder fill, you’ll need a shellac stick, matched to the finish, some superfine, wet/dry sandpaper, mineral oil, alcohol, and a grapefruit knife, or a curved burn-in knife from a supply store.  Apply the shellac by (repeatedly) heating the knife, then pressing it against the stick, to make it melt and drip slowly into the hole.  When it’s filled to just above the surface, smooth it with the knife, and let it cool.  Then, even out the spot carefully with sandpaper and some mineral oil, and use the alcohol to remove the excess shellac.

Because this technique requires a little more skill, you should practice on a piece of junk furniture or scrap wood before trying it.  After all, you don’t want anyone giving you a bunch of shellac for ruining a good porch chair.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chair, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor settee, outdoor table, outdoor wood furniture, patio chairs, patio table, porch swing, wood outdoor furniture, wood patio furniture

It’s Friday afternoon.  Are you feeling pumped up for the weekend?  Have you already begun to plan a day trip, a gardening chore or two, or a big baking exertion? Or, has your mind wandered to the evenings out sure to come stumbling your way?

I am not feeling any of that pre-weekend excitement.  I am feeling that pre-weekend exhaustion.  Anyone else?  I have every intention of spending my swinging and crazy Friday night curled up in my hammock with outdoor living magazines and a smoothie.

So, for you, oh embracers of the weekend nap… I invite you to create an outdoor napping spot! Sit back, relax, and get comfortable!

Hang a Hammock: Ah, the hammock. Mine hangs in my backyard to constantly beckon me with a sweet invitation.  If you still don’t have one, (or worse, if you have one and it’s not hanging up) I highly suggest that you get it ready for Saturday. Its lazy way of hugging your body while swaying in the breeze is everything an August afternoon should have. Hang it in the corner, away from the hustle and bustle.

Curl up in a Swingbed: Remember when they came out with the iphone? The thought of one device to be your music library and your telephone, as well as provide internet access was inconceivable.  My excitement over the iphone does not even begin to touch my awe when I saw my first swingbed.  Are you ready? It’s porch swing that’s also a day bed.  If you haven’t experienced this yet, now is the time. With a ridiculously deep seat, you can literally curl up into perfect comfort on a porch swing… a swingbed

Lounge in a Chaise Lounge: Ready for a no-brainer? Chaise lounges have “lounge” in the name! Go vintage and sprawl out on a piece of outdoor furniture often called a fainting couch.  A cool drink is required, as well as huge sunglasses. Relax, dah-ling.

Get Comfy in Deep Seating: You know the neighbors you have with the TV and old couch falling apart on the front lawn? This is not that! Deep seating is interior style outdoor furniture.  The deep, comfy, cushiony feel of a sofa or loveseat… designed to take on the elements.  Too good to be true?  Nope, it’s totally possible.

Ready for an afternoon nap? I am.  No matter where you stretch out or curl up… just do it outdoors and in style.

Oh! And Have Fun!

Hazel.

Tags: chaise lounge, deep seating, hammock, Outdoor Furniture, porch swing, swingbed

The longer this heat wave – as it has officially been declared – goes on, the harder it is to cool off, especially without spending a fortune on utilities.  Heck, even during normal summer weather, it’s tough to stay comfortable and keep energy costs low; but when temperatures really soar, it’s a major challenge (that can make you really sore).

What makes it worse is that the higher-than-normal usage of cooling devices puts such an extraordinary demand on electric grids that there’s a greater chance of power outages.  Therefore, you have to be aware of every appliance you use, and everything you do, which can further drain resources, while increasing the temperature in your home.

An oven, for example, in just the time it takes to bake cookies, can add at least 10 degrees to the room temperature, and 2%-5% to your cooling costs.  You’re better off cooking on your grill (which you’re probably doing frequently, anyway), and eating at your picnic table, under a UV-resistant patio umbrella (or indoors, if it’s too hot outside).  If you have to cook or (especially) bake, it’s best to do it in the morning or evening; and the same goes for running the dish washer and clothes dryer.

Another simple, yet effective, measure is to close the blinds on windows that get the most sunlight.  When allowed to shine through, it can account for up to 20% of the heat in your home during the summer.  Windows that face west are the biggest culprits, so cover them with reflective blinds or curtains in the afternoon.  I do this every day, and it really works.  Unfortunately, it also blocks the view of my birdfeeders and birdhouses; but, in this heat, I can put up with that for a few hours.

If it gets cool enough after sundown, you can give the air conditioner a break, and use window and ceiling fans to bring in the night air and help it to circulate.  Just remember to close the windows in the morning, before the hot air makes its return.  If your house isn’t air-conditioned, and it’s still too hot to sleep, lull yourself into drowsiness on a porch swing or an outdoor rocking chair before going to bed.

Of course, your air-conditioning system must also be operating at peak efficiency; and that will be impossible if any ducts are leaking.  Moreover, besides being intact, ductwork must be balanced between the supply and return sides of the system; so, fixing one section could cause problems in another.  Unless you really know what you’re doing, the safest thing to do is to have a professional check ducts, filters, coils, fans, and other components, and do any necessary repairs.

Indeed, the best way to combat high energy bills during a heat wave is to have all of your ducts in a row!

Yours (still, and unapologetically) Indoors,

Kathy

Tags: birdfeeders, birdhouses, grill, outdoor rocking chair, patio umbrella, picnic table, porch swing

Today there’s a kind of strange, almost eerie, sight outside my window.  My birdfeeders, which are normally bustling with activity, have gotten very few hits.  I haven’t seen a lot of movement around the birdhouses, either; and, oddly enough, even the birdbaths aren’t getting as many visitors as usual.  So, the heat wave that we, along with a large portion of the country, are experiencing is, not surprisingly, affecting the wildlife as well.

Whether or not your area is now being scorched by temperatures that are nearing 100º, you’ve probably, at one time or another, been in the grip of a heat wave.  Indeed, nearly everyone knows how this feels (awful!), and that, when it gets life-threateningly hot, it’s vital to find a way to stay cool.  Although everybody is at risk, the ones who are the most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses are the elderly, the very young, and those who must work outdoors.

If you’re in that last group, it’s imperative that you take it easy, drink plenty of water, and stop frequently for breaks.  Otherwise, it’s best to stay inside, in the air-conditioning, as much as possible.  Don’t do any unnecessary outdoor chores, either; forget about yard work for the time being.  If you don’t want to stay in, take an ice-cold glass of lemonade out to a patio chair, porch swing, or hammock, and just relax.

Even if you’re in a location, such as this, where it’s going to stay dry for several days, don’t worry about your lawn.  Although it may get thoroughly baked, it will spring back to life when it rains.  However, if you can’t be dissuaded from watering it, let your sprinkler do double duty, and set yourself up in a lounge chair or steamer chair, in a spot where it will spray you, too.

During weather like this, you should also wear light, and light-colored, clothing.  Take cool baths or showers if you don’t have a pool, or have access to one.  Even if you have one, however, the water can get pretty warm under these conditions; so keep cold drinks handy on a nearby picnic table that’s shaded by a tree or, at least, a patio umbrella.  It’s also a good idea to put some ice packs and wet cloths into a cooler, in case someone gets overheated.

Of course, as the birds are reminding me today, this weather is just as dangerous for animals.  So, provide some water for the wild creatures, and, please, don’t leave your pets out in the heat – especially in a car!  They’re depending on you to keep them safe and cool.  You should also check on elderly neighbors, or anyone who lives alone and doesn’t have air-conditioning.

You know, I sure could go for a heapin’ helpin’ of some of that wonderful snow that we had last winter!  No, I’m not just saying that; I’m one of the few who enjoyed it even when it was over two feet deep.  Believe me, I’d rather see 28º than 98º any day of the year.

Yours (I cannot tell a lie – for now, I’m staying) Indoors,

Kathy

Tags: birdfeeders, birdhouses, chaise lounge, hammock, lounge chair, patio chair, patio umbrella, picnic table, porch swing, steamer chair

If you haven’t heard yet, today is the official first day of the summer season.  You may be thinking that it has felt like summer for awhile now, and that summer actually starts when it gets hot.  Who even decided when a season starts anyway? Is it another Hallmark Holiday?

Actually, the first day of summer always falls on the historic Summer Solstice.  The Summer Solstice is an astronomical event when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is most inclined toward the sun, creating more hours of sunlight within that rotation than any other rotation for the year.   Little too scienc-y for you?  After all, this is a blog about outdoor furniture… not astrophysics! Basically, there is more daylight today than any other day.  Tomorrow, it will be daylight for a few less minutes.  These changes aren’t as noticeable as they used to be in ancient times.  First, because we have so much unnatural light to trick us and because the way we change our clocks for daylight savings time alters what time it is when it’s light out and when it’s dark.

Pre-Christian cultures saw the Summer and Winter Solstices as holy days.  Since the Summer Solstice has been celebrated world-wide, across cultures and civilizations, it’s impossible to “sum up” how most people have celebrated this extraordinary yearly event.  But, after all, doesn’t that say something about its importance?  A moment in our precious Earth’s cycle so momentous, that nations who did not know about the other nor share any religious or political beliefs… celebrated the same event on the same day. Common themes usually center on celebrations of light, life, fertility, and health, and celebrating all the prosperity the Earth and the Sun provide us.

And what does the Earth and Sun bring us more than anything else? Plants! Some cultures believed that plants and flowers that flourished during this time and were picked on this day would have miraculous healing powers.  [Note: This blog is not approved by the FDA.  Eating the dandelions from your backyard today is not likely to cure anything!]

So, how should we celebrate this day?  No matter your religious affiliation, celebrating the day with more light than any other is perfectly justified!  I plan to really tend to my flower garden today, paying special attention to how lucky I am to live in a fertile world that produces such glorious blooms.  Then, I’m having a few friends over to cook up fish on our grill.  As we gather around my picnic table and chow down on fish with blueberry salsa and some other side I haven’t planned yet… I plan to give thanks for the endless bounty that the dirt provides us.  So, join me on this meaningful day, and enjoy the view from your garden bench or porch swing, patio chair or hammock.  It doesn’t matter if you live on an organic farm or just have a container of daisies you picked up at the supermarket one day.  The sun rises every morning as a gift to us all, and today is the perfect day to remember that we shouldn’t take it for granted.

Shine Today!

Hazel.

Tags: garden bench, grill, hammock, Outdoor Furniture, patio chair, picnic table, porch swing, solstice

Ask Dear Ol’ Dad what he wants for Father’s Day, and he’ll probably say that he desires only to spend the afternoon in his favorite patio chair, reading the Sunday paper, and not worrying about doing any chores.  Then, maybe it’ll be a snooze in the hammock, before throwing some burgers on the grill, and eating at the picnic table.

Certainly he’s not asking for much; but you still wish to do something a lot more special for him.  After all, being a father is a job that’s always challenging and demanding, and alternately joyful, heart-rending, fun, difficult, rewarding, puzzling, uplifting, and thankless.

Raconteur, singer of songs, reader of poetry, teller of jokes, player of music, killer of spiders, puller of wagons, dryer of tears, remover of slivers, and so much more, Dad has taught you everything, from the simplest games, to life’s most profound lessons.

He has also, on many occasions, been the victim of cruel irony.  He bought you a scooter, you left it lying outside the door, and he tripped over it and tore his good suit.  (Yes, from here on out, I’m blaming “you,” even though, when something went wrong at our house, “nobody” did it!)  He got you a guinea pig, you let it loose, and it got into his dresser drawer and chewed up his underwear and socks.  He taught you to ride a bike, and you ran over the seedlings that he had just planted.

Still undaunted, he showed you how to fish, and caught a hook in the neck as you were casting your line.  He taught you how to hit a ball, and got whacked in the head – or someplace even more painful – by your bat.  Then, he came to all of your games and sat on those splintered old benches; and he stayed the whole time, even when you, too, were just sitting on the bench.  He wound up with ants in his pants – literally – after you broke the ant farm that you had begged for, and which he, to his everlasting regret, had finally given you.

Yes, Dad gave you his all – and you gave him gray hair.  The most amazing part of it all, however, is that, if you ask him, he’ll say that he’d do it all (or, most of it, anyway) over again (right, Dad?).

Nevertheless, you’re determined to give him something wonderful for Father’s Day.  So, if he truly wants to hang around the house, get him a nice porch swing, in return for the countless hours he spent pushing you on swings, only to have you spend years pushing him as far as you could.

An Adirondack Chair would be a good way to thank him for that vacation in the Adirondacks; and a new garden bench would compensate for the slivers that he got from those ballpark benches.  You could also get him an outdoor rocking chair, for all of the times that you drove him off his rocker.

Naturally, he would also enjoy it if you let him know that all of the advice that he gave you while you were growing up, which you so blithely dismissed, turned out to be spot-on.  If you now have kids of your own, it would further delight him to discover that his wish has come true, as you have, indeed, found out “what it’s like.” (Perhaps it’s no coincidence that diaper, spelled backward, is repaid!)

Actually, the best gift that you could give him would be to have a big family gathering.  I mean, he definitely wants to see those adorable grandchildren; and it would really make his day if he could just sit back, relax, and watch you get yours!

Happy Father’s Day!

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chair, father's day, garden bench, grill, hammock, outdoor rocking chair, patio chair, picnic table, porch swing