moss cleaning

I couldn't stand the build up of mossy green slime on my roof. You can see the obvious growth since the roof is supposed to be a smooth glossy metal and instead looks scummy under the gutters and rough coated with a skim coat of moss growing all over the rest. I had been talking to a friend who just went out and used a scrubber and water on a green mossy growth on a house. She said the simple approach worked.









I got out my extension ladder that I bought at the auction for $30. It can be an A frame to eight feet. Tall enough to reach the lower gutters. I worked for two hours on the garage roof as that is the easiest to reach having a nice paved front for the ladder to sit properly. I used the new mop I bought Tom for the kitchen to reach as far up each of the roof slats as I could. Soapy water in a bucket and the long pole to help reach further. The best was the little hand brush though as most of the build up was on the bottom edge just above the gutters. Scrubbing off the heavy moss was very satisfying even though it made the parts I hadn't scrubbed look even worse.









I worked my way in sections of three feet. Three feet was about as far as I could reach easily each time I had to move the ladder. It was good exercises. Tom asked me if I could get thin for him one more time. I had been thin right after the upstairs man cave floor went in. All that stooping and hammering kept me out of the kitchen and physically fit. This yard work will do the same if the weather would just cooperate. Keep me out of the kitchen and physically fit.









A neighbor walking her dog stopped to tell me how pleased she was to see me working on the house. Getting the yard cleaned up. The new can arrived for the yard waste and I filled it to over flow with ivy today and have it already out for pick up which isn't until Friday. I figure for a few weeks it may just sit up there and get filled immediately until the front yard is under control. At $10 a month it is still cheaper than hiring a clean up crew to come haul everything away. That bid was $1800.





A friend suggested when we bring down a few of the trees that we use the trunks to build up the retaining wall They wouldn't last though since they would decompose. I found a great book at the thrift store from Better homes and gardens with landscaping advice. There is a chapter on dry creek beds for run off and a chapter on steep hillsides. The problem with the reading is I sit and eat while I read. The doing is much more productive and keeps me out of the kitchen.


The rains are coming down again so today I am stuck inside. As I drive my car out of the driveway to go pick up children or run an errand I can at least admire the roof section I was able to get clean. I am told there is a spray I can use that does the work for me and I would just hose it off, but that stuff costs money and I haven't found out the name. Elbow grease and soapy water seem to be doing the job at the moment.

Tried a new recipe last night. I knew before I started the odds of the family liking it was slim. I had stopped at an Indian food store and bought some spices and Lentils. Lentils are supposed to be very good for you. Strike one against with my family. I thought it was lovely when finished, a mild Indian side dish. Riley found it too spicy. Trevor found it not spicy enough, and Tom just didn't bother caring at all. Tom fed his portion to the dog, laughing that the only time the dog pays attention to him is when there is a plate in his hands. Everyone knows how food picky Tom is, even the dog.

The problem with the family not liking the lentils is I bought a couple of bags of the beans. They plump up substantially. Now I have this food stuff in my cupboard and no one will eat it but me, and it is too much food for just me. I am going to try experimenting with flavors or add it to the stuff the family does like. It is kind of like Tofu in that it takes on the flavor of what ever is put in it. I liked it.