Years ago, in a different era (most likely the 40s or 50s), the owners of this place erected a sign. And the sign was tall and handsome and located right on the road, which is where a good sign should be found, of course. Then in the 60s or 70s, the people who decide such things determined that the road was too curvy and difficult to maneuver at the fast speeds of the day. So, all the kinks and coils were straightened out and two things happened to our property: it gained about 75 feet of land on its front edge (nice!), and the sign was now located about 75 feet away from the highway (shit!).
The best possible solution would have been to move the sign. Instead, they put out one of those awful light-up adjustable letter signs. It might have looked good when new, but that was a long long time ago. And, this is what we found when we were first checking out the place:
A few months later, when took over the place, it read:
MTL RMS $67-$78
CABL
WELCOME ANGLERS!
I love that they abbreviated everything but the last line, which was aimed at probably the smallest segment of visitors to this area. Also, as you can see, the sign had seen better days. It was crooked and lit by christmas lights inside, which lent an inconstant, sickly, last-legs kind of glow. It was not a thing that instilled confidence in the person pulling in, in fact, it often caused them to drive past, do a double take, turn around and THEN pull in. We've watched it with cringes a thousand times.
We should have fixed it the day we got here (we did straighten it and change the lettering, at least), but I've been busy! Just keeping the place running! Alone! Plus the baby! Give me a break!
This past weekend the Cap'n and I unbolted the ramshackle thing, stowed it behind the shed (yee-haw!) and put up a nice sign we constructed from plywood. And, for the last three days I've sat in a clenched shivering huddle in 30 degree weather trying to paint it pretty. It's going well, but I can't believe how long and difficult it is. Plus, we've been having 40 mph wind gusts which throw my templates askitter (not a word) and bump the sign which ruins my lines. And, I have to come in every hour or so to throw chamomile tea* down my throat and onto my legs to try to restore feeling to them again. Winter is not the optimal sign-making season, which might not sound surprising but frankly hadn't occurred to me.
But, we will have a beautific sign shortly, and it makes me happy. It will be cute and bed-and-breakfasty, and will make people say "oh--there it is!" instead of "um, do you think that's it?"
*I'd just like to remark on the incredible powers of chamomile tea. I always thought it was a weak brew that mother rabbits gave their naughty bunny babies, but that stuff is like liquid Valium to me. I've finally found the perfect drug.
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