Somewhat assuaged by the merry tinkle of the water fountain and the joyful chirping of sweeter birdsong, but neither by the drone of bees nor of power tools nor of overhead aircraft, my dead heading this morning focussed on the prolific plants resident in the rose garden desperate for a haircut.
Longer term readers will remember that we converted our garage into a library, part of which became a utility room which possessed one strip light which has spent years annoyingly flickering on and off
requiring supplements of trailing sockets draped, dangling, everywhere like lametta lacking sparkle.
Today, Ben Renouf, of Abre Electrical provided us with a safer, less unsightly arrangement. Beginning with replacing a double switch that had served both the strip light and outside lights around the house, with a single one for the outside and moving the double to the other side of the kitchen door and serving
two new strips – one newly fitted for library and one the new utility room replacement.
New sockets are now in place in the utility room and on the wall outside the kitchen.
Ben worked steadily, efficiently and finished the task first thing this afternoon.
It remained for me to remove all the extraneous gubbins, pile them onto the library table, and wonder what to do with them.
This evening we dined on roast chicken and duck pieces; crisp roast potatoes, some of which were soft and sweet; crunchy carrots; firm Brussels sprouts; tender green beans, and tasty gravy, with which Jackie drank Rueda Blume 2021, and I drank more of the Malbec.
Let there be light. Hallelujah!
Thanks a lot, Beck XX
Both light and safety…the original switching system looked pretty archaic, it would have been no more library if that had failed. Let alone trailing cords to various lamps..
Maybe after the surrounding space is clear…a reading nook can be installed, with a dedicated lamp.
Thanks very much, Catherine. Getting the surrounding space clear is a continuing problem 🙂
I’m sure your post title will draw some readers in. 😉
I didn’t remember about your library, but I’m glad you had a professional take care of the lighting.
I had to look up gubbins.
I had to look it up, too. I never can resist the allure of a word unknown to me!
Yes, it’s a good word.
Thanks very much, Merril. I’m pleased you got the title 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick. 🙂
Never a dull moment for you two. Dinner sounds lovely.
Thanks very much, Pat
This is a very nice safety upgrade, Derrick. Money well spent. You use 220VAC there were as we use 120VAC here. I had to look the word Gubbins up!
Thanks very much, John
You’re welcome.
Wow!!! That’s quite a library you’ve got there!
Thanks very much, M.B. A lifetime’s collection.
Heath Robinson would have been proud of your previous arrangement.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
Let there be light. And there was. Some jobs seem to never get done. At least this one came to fruition.
Thanks very much, Chrissy. Long overdue
HA! Your title got me wonderin’ what was up in the library! (shocked face and laughing face) Then I wondered did the strip occur in your home library or a public library. Ha!
A lot of good work being done! Libraries need good lighting! YAY for Ben and his good work!
I DIDN’T look up gubbins…Are they like doodads, doohickeys, thingamabobs, whats’its, and whatchamacallits?!?!
(((HUGS))) ❤️
I’m pleased you got the title, Carolyn, and that you knew gubbins. Thanks very much X
What an improvement! Now to look up gubbins.
Thanks a lot, Laurie
I’m very glad you got better, safer lights. The flickering would drive me crazy. I looked up gubbins, too, and realized that I have an abundance of gubbins. Some are meant for future art projects. Some are mysteries.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Wow, your library is lovely Derrick.
Thank you very much, Arlene
Your library is so neat and organized compared to mine, Derrick!
I removed the dead heads just last week and today I see all the rose bushes wanting a good “hair cut” again!
It doesn’t take long for the secateurs to be in demand again, Zakiah. Thank you very much
You’ve finally seen the light Derrick …
“Moonlighting (a Haiku)”
Incandescent moon
Illuminates the hallway
Beyond the keyhole
Cheers, Ivor
What a wonderful word is “gubbins”. It seems to be used always for things which we cannot identify accurately. I wonder where it comes from.
mid 16th century (in the sense ‘fragments’): from obsolete gobbon ‘piece, slice, gob’, from Old French; probably related to gobbet. Current senses date from the early 20th century. You prompted me to look it up, John. Thanks very much.
I am completely jealous of your library. It looks wonderful!
Thanks very much, Donna
We have a rose where the leaves are going yellow in this heat. It was OK last year though…. 🙁
Thanks very much, Kim
Excellent!
I love using the word gubbins. The other day I emptied my understairs cupboard to have new carpet fitted and I came across a bag of gubbins that was probably similar to your leftover gubbins. Extension leads, double plugs and numerous cables!
I’m glad you have a new lighting system, it will make a big difference.
Thank you very much, Sue. The same word for the same stuff is very satisfying
I received this Gubbins one and the second comment earlier.
I receive your comments on my posts. but receiving them from your site is hit and miss.
No,don’t bother about emailing. I can pop back.
I will ask WordPress.
Thanks again, Sue
Great title and excellent narrative, Derrick! Let there be light and probably much safer, as well.
I didn’t know you had converted an out building into a library. I’ve been thing of doing this for a long time too.
Thanks very much, Robbie.
A lovely library and great use of a garage!
Getting old electrical projects taken care of always brings me a feeling of relief. I am glad you and Jackie and taken care of this in your converted garage, and are much safer now.
Thank you so much, Lavinia
A strip “tease’ of a post. As soon as I saw the photo of the library, I was all in. Libraries are my happy place. Soft serene comforting welcoming. Your new lighting will make it all of that plus ten. 🙂
Thank you so much, Pamela. I’m pleased you got the title
Looks nice.
Thanks very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Ah, so “gubbins” are what we call “chachkes,” AKA an unsightly mess on my husband’s work desk.
An electrical update in the library is definitely adding light to your lives.
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
It’s hard to get rid of books isn’t it. We just ‘decluttered’ and letting go of part of our library was hard. Enjoy your garage library with the perfect light.
Thank you so much, Bridget
Electrical safety is a good idea. On top of being professional, neater, it is less likely to result in a fire. Congratulations on getting it done!
Thanks a lot, Doug
Did the electrician manage to avoid a loud gasp when he saw your arrangement? I had one do that when looking at our fuse box at our new home before he fixed it. Apparently it was a shock and fire hazard.
He remained deadpan – but he had put in our fusebox about 8 years ago. Thanks very much, Elizabeth
I bet he was startled by how much you had asked of it.
Much less of a fire hazard
Agreed. Thanks very much, Sheree
Would love to spend some time in your library!
Thank you very much, Ribana