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Putting the whole sleepy estate to bed for the winter That's I Life spent much of the weekend outdoors, embracing autumn and putting the property, the whole sleepy estate, to bed for the winter. Despite the inherent pressure of a looming deadline -- the elements (morning frost, low temperatures, cold winds and errant urries) were a reminder winter is coming, and also an incentive to complete jobs that need to be done before the snow ies. In earnest, the work was actually enjoyable. Nice to be outside, nice to be getting things done. Granted, my joints and muscles are complaining this morning about the considerable lifting involved: awkward patio furniture, heavy planters, and a few ungainly umbrellas that caught wind as I shouldered them and nearly ew me to Florida. Of course, this putting the whole sleepy estate to bed for the winter cannot be accomplished in one weekend. No, it's a process; it takes time. It began earlier in the month with the closing of the pool, its deep and inviting blue replaced by a green trampoline-style cover. My wife always notes in her mind, it's the appearance of that cover that of cially ends summer and sends her thoughts hurtling toward winter -- it certainly ends any thoughts of sneaking in for one more quick dip before ofcially saying `sayonara' to the season. Next up, the pond: each year I invariably wait until it's freezing outside before I reluctantly don 23 | Thursday, October 22, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Andy Juniper Guest Contributor my Wellingtons and wade into the murk of this odious job. I mean, why reach a bare arm into warm water for 20 minutes while wrestling with the pump when you can reach that same bare arm into frigid water for 20 minutes to try and persuade the pump that it's time to come out and go indoors for the winter? Then comes the outdoor furniture. Even though the manufacturer insists this rugged furniture can withstand the rigors of a Canadian winter -- which means it's by nature one-thousand-times tougher than me -- my wife insists we (and by `we', she tends to mean me) should bring it indoors so it can stay toasty warm and dry. I invariably try to corral help in the form of our offspring, but when it comes to outdoor labour, they ultimately remain elusive. Eventually, I go outside by my lonesome and help myself to a hernia. Of course, during October, there are assorted other odd autumn jobs that siphon my time. Laneway re ectors to put up. Outdoor water to be drained and shut off. Oh, and the grass needs one or two more trims. The other day, I looked at the hour gage on my mower and discovered I'd spent 110 hours cutting grass this season. Honestly, it's a job I never really mind, unless it's one of those days when the cold bites at your bones, the wind whips right through you, and you think you may actually freeze to death atop The Hog. For us, the process of putting the property, the whole sleepy estate, to bed is nally complete at the end of the month when we say sad goodbyes to our horses and trailer them to their winter home. Then, and only then, do I head indoors. I teepee logs in the replace and set light to the rst re of the season. As the re ickers, I pour myself a stiff shot of medicinal. And I wait for winter. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@ gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook. com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter .com/ thesportjesters. As seen on Euro-Line Appliances On Cranberry Court We will pay up to 50% of your energy retrofit project costs. Oakville Hydro is making it easier for business owners to save electricity and lower their hydro bills. Over 260 Oakville businesses have received more than $2.8 million in saveONenergy incentives to reduce their energy costs. Our team is ready to help you start saving today. Contact us at retrofit@oakvillehydro.com to learn how to get started or visit Oakvillehydro.com to learn more about our business programs. Subject to additional terms and conditions found at saveonenergy.ca. Funded by the Independent Electricity System Operator and offered by Oakville Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc. OMOfficial Mark adopted and used by the Independent Electricity System Operator. Used under licence.