When we first bought our house in Kaaawa about 23 years ago, it came with a deck built by a neighborhood handyman, covered with a layer of indoor-outdoor carpet that soon melted into a rich, mildewed goo. We later ripped that carpet off and tried another kind of deck surface, which over time led back to the same puddled and mildewed appearance while, in the background, hidden rot worked its ways.

So this year, when the stairs started rotting out, they were the least of the problem. I soon learned the deck needed major repair and reconstruction. So repair and reconstruct we did. That’s the Royal “We”, of course, since I wrote the checks and our friend’s company did the work.

Now the job is just about done, and we’re enjoying our new deck, just in time for Spring. Yes, the little picnic table is made out of a bit of leftover wood, as is a smaller table in the background that hosts a little $100 gas grill purchased on sale at Costco. No cats in this picture. Odd.