Refurbished doors make a privacy fence

Manila resident Betty McDaniel used her imagination and skills to turn old doors into a decorative fence giving her privacy.

McDaniel added the nine doors to the chain-link fence at the side of her home using bright colors and a lot of painted sunflowers.

Her green thumb is evident throughout her back yard but she calls her painting skills limited.

“Sunflowers are easy to paint so I went with the sunflower theme,” McDaniel said.

The doors were purchased at the Manila school sale. She was asked what she planned to do with the doors because they did not look as nice when she purchased them.

She has lived on Main Street in Manila for 20 years. Yard work is her hobby.

She has several huge banana trees growing.

“Scottie Reinhart gave me one to start with and I love them,” she said.

She cuts them back each year, puts mulch around the base and wraps them in tarps to protect them from the cold. They come back each year growing taller and taller. They are about 8 or 10 feet tall this summer and make a beautiful shade.

She has a garden shed she built using old barn tin given to her. It is perfect for her lawnmower and gardening tools.

Throughout the yard she has birdhouses, some she has painted herself. She enjoys collecting bird houses old and new.

She built a small sitting area complete with an outdoor wood-burning chimines. On cool mornings, she enjoys having her coffee outside.

“I am an outside person and even in the winter time I like to be outside,” she said. “I enjoy working in my yard. I will get up earlier on the days I don't have to work just to get outside to work in the yard.”

She has cleaned houses for 30 years.

“I enjoy my work,” she said. “I like setting my own hours and being my own boss.”

McDaniel does not stop at the end of the work day. She enjoys working in her yard. It is not work to her, it is a hobby she enjoys.

Her colorful bench, flower pots, birdhouses, and doors all combined with the banana trees, flowers and more make a pleasant place to enjoy all seasons.