Tuesday, May 23, 2006

What happened to the hammock?

Every spring we buy a new cotton rope hammock because we don’t take it down for the winter. It just disintegrates and falls apart by spring. This year we decided that we would take care of our hammock and put it away in the fall, as soon as the weather got cold. We took it down and stored it for awhile, only bringing it out on warm days. It was only cold and snowy in February and, then it proceeded to warm up…So out the hammock came.

Every time I got into the hammock a string would break…just like in past years, and my husband would repair it using yellow nylon rope. So, putting it away didn’t have much to do with it…It’s only made to last a year and possibly, maybe two. I guess we’ll just have to upgrade to a better quality hammock if we want them to last longer. We buy the $80 hammocks at Lowes every year, but they do have more expensive ones that are weather-proofed…so they claim, and it might be worth looking into.

Anyway, the strings have been breaking and our poor hammock is full of yellow nylon rope. Jybow, our cat, plays with the strings as you can see in the picture…as I’m sure the other cats do, when we’re not watching.

The last time Brandon, our grandson was over he was playing in the hammock while we were indoors. When I looked out the window, I noticed Brandon sitting on the ground trying to thread one of the ropes through a hole in the board that’s on the hammock and, I immediately knew what had happened…and what he was trying to do….He was trying to tie the ropes back together and fix it. I could have just let him entertain himself and fix it, but I knew once he got into it again, the ropes would break in different spots.

I rushed out the back door, and said to Brandon, “Oh, my gosh!!! What happened to the hammock?” And I tried to act really surprised. You should have seen the look on that poor little fella’s face…So I quickly told him not to worry, that the hammock was rotten and that I needed a new one….and that I was only kidding.
He’s such a sweet teddy bear…(or maybe I should say Baby Bear)
I love him!

A couple of days ago, we went to Lowes and purchased a brand spankin new, weather-proofed hammock…
Isn’t it pretty and I can hardly wait to try it out…

That reminds me, of a little story, of the first hammock that Jimmy & I bought. I was showing him how to climb into the hammock properly, so it wouldn’t tip over and dump him. I was being very careful and slowly eased myself into the center of the hammock and the next thing I knew I was down on the ground….Clonk! Yes...I go Clonk! And if you knew me you'd understand why. You should have heard the laughter and I have never been able to live that moment down. Every time we get a new hammock, Jimmy says, “You wanna try it out…you gonna show me how to get into it…Or are you afraid it’ll throw you?

“Move on over…I’ll try it out first…
I’m not afraid of it! And could you bring me out a cold glass of lemonade and, call me when supper is ready. Bring the phone out here too...I'm expecting an important phone call."

20 comments:

Finn said...

Look out Cuckoo, one airborne and incoming Finn...you'd better move over....*VBG*

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Finn...I can just imagine you running and jumping into the hammock with Cucoo...and I can also imagine you & Cucoo being tossed airborne, out of the hammock and into the air. *LOL*

Susie said...

So is the striped hammock the one that is supposed to be weatherproof? Love the colors....

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Sue...that's what the outside packaging said, but when we opened and read the instructions on maintenance and care...that seemed not to be the case. We found out that you should keep it turned upside down because of bird poop too.

There is actually MORE maintenance with this hammock...and the wind doesn't blow through it.

tomlaureld@yahoo.com said...

All synthetics when exposed to the sun disintegrate. A soft nylon weave would last longer but the sun will still ruin it and the cost of supple nylon cost is out of sight.
Wood fibers last longer in the sun.

TUFFENUF said...

Nice new hammock. I still have the Pawley's Island white rope kind. I just took it out the other day. My dog likes to rub up under it when I am in it, so it won't be white very long. I see the new one has a pillow - very fancy! I might have to go to Lowes. Hey, there is no law against having two hammocks, is there?

Ava said...

Hammocks are fun, but do have to be frequently repaired and replaced. Yours isn't the only one!! What a great cat toy for Jybow!!! Great idea!!

Oh, your new one is so colorful! Very nice!

Looks very comfy!! Great pillow!

Jellyhead said...

That hammock looks sooooo inviting! Sandy, if I could just leave my kids with you? I'll be in the hammock reading if anyone needs me.

No, Cucoo, I won't share it with you. Buzz off. Scat! Shoo!

Carole Burant said...

I've never ever ever ever ever been in a hammock...I've seen them of course but never tried getting on one. I know me, before I could even blink I'd be underneath it face down on the ground lol

Judypatooote said...

The new hammock looks like a designer one....and it looks perfect for cucoo.....perhaps he'll share.

somershade said...

that's cute of Brandon,Mr fixer like daddy.Cucoo has got it made in the shade what a life.Maybe Daniel will come and try it out.:) xxxooo

doubleknot said...

What a trick to play on Brandon about the hammock. Poor boy I can just see him thinking he had done something wrong - good thing you let him off the hook quickly.
Nice new hammock - well it looks like it has an occupant already - all settled in.
I didn't know that bit of info about the spell checker - opps - I wonder how many posts have silly mistakes.

R.Powers said...

You need to learn how to knit a net hammock!

Anonymous said...

This post made me feel a little better, because a few years ago, my brother and his wife gave us a hammock for Christmas. Our dog was a pup at the time and chewed it apart. Then we got another hammock and with time, that one fell apart also. At least I know i'm not the only person who can't seem to keep her hammocks intact! I like the new one, great colors! Poor ol' Brandon.. LOL.

Also had to laugh at your comment about being able to pick Zac out of the crowd of red graduation hats ;)

LZ Blogger said...

Sandy ~ We have one like the top pictures, only it is made out of nylon rope and we have literally had it for 25 years. It is a little rough though, so we usually put a blacket or towel on it (just for comfort). But we sure have managed to get our money's worth out of it. ~ jb///

Merle said...

Hi Sandy ~~ I hope the new hammock lasts
better than the others. Jerry has certainly got value out of his ~25 yrs.
Thank you Sandy for the birthday wishes, and I am having a great day.
Thanks also for the poem, I got a good
laugh out of it. He is lucky he didnt have to get the ring through his nose!!
hanks again, Take care, Merle.

The Four Bears in the Woods said...

Brandon will be glad you got a new hammock, I'm sure. That was funny that day when he thought he broke it and was trying to fix it. I could tell he was worried to death trying to repair it. *VBS*

Well.. I finally wrote something on our blog, check it out when you get the chance.

Wanted to also thank you and Jimmy very very much for your help yesterday it was much appreciated!

Mama Bear

Anonymous said...

The new hammock looks so much more comfortable than the rope one. I can just imagine the cats playing with the ropes. How cute. I love how colorful it is. I have a hammock swing that I love. Our dog seems to think it's his bed.

Franny said...

ooh, move over cucoo! i want a nap in the shade!

oh, that looks so dreamy. curl up with a nice trashy romance novel, and let Prince Sven (Lord Derrick, Sir Alexander, whatever) take me away to a far off land where i have a castle and a staff and nursemaids for the children... skirts billowing in the spring breeze...

*sigh*

oh that deserves another one.

*sigh*

bornfool said...

That Cucoo! Always has to be the center of attention.