Ditches and Banks

 I finished shaping the trench this morning.  Then Sean helped me uncoil and connect the drain line.

Next step is to cover it with gravel.  I got as far as the T junction today.

I should finish that stage tomorrow.  Then it will be time to cover it up with soil and sod.  A longer term reshaping of the landscape so that there won't be any areas where water can pool is the last step.

I'm sure glad that I took that ditch digging course that went with the bank robbery doctorate.  Don't know where I'd be without it!

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That's enough silliness for today.

Stay well.

Finding Treasures and Making Them

 I've been working my way along the approximate path of the drain line we removed last year when it got plugged.  Up until a new drain line was installed in another location recently, this area was flooded and in the meantime Mother Nature had filled it all in and we couldn't get at it to make repairs.

So, I've been searching for the  upper end of the old drain line..........

......and finally found it.

So, tomorrow I will clear a path for the replacement line.  When Sean has a moment he'll help me unroll the new line so the job can be finished.

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In the meantime, Mardi was golfing with her friends.

You'll remember that I said she and Maureen were working on decorations for the final game of their league year.

And, here is the final result.

There were other crazies dressed up as well.

And, friend Rada's group was also dressed up.

A good time was had by all!

And, while we're talking about Rada, we should mention that, as of tomorrow, she has been putting up with John since 1982.  I hope that there is a medal on that vest she's wearing!  Drink up my friend!

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See you again tomorrow.

Stay well.

Turkey Roll Time

 Did some more digging today.  Made progress, but it's going to take a bit longer than I thought.  Misplaced Optimism I guess.

Then, I bought some gas, cut some grass, and went home to my lass. 😎

I took this picture of the sunflower field next door.

Somehow, the work crew cut the stalk (on a 45 degree angle yet) and grabbed the flower with the same hand.  Then put it on their shoulder where the other hand held on to an armful before taking it to the wagon.  And they did move fast!

The remaining flower heads that you can see were apparently too open to harvest.

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It's that time of year folks, when our Optimist Club holds the annual Turkey Roll.  

 Same format as  before.  Seven chances for $20.

Love to have your support again.

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Mardi and I headed to Maureen and Matt's for dinner and cards.  There was also a top secret activity by the ladies to create something special for their end of year golf outing.  Can't show you until Tuesday when it gets unveiled.

Stay well.

I'm A Lucky Man

 Today, I cut the grass from the road to the back of the greenhouse (I don't like to run the mower down front on Sunday - I'll do the back half tomorrow).  And, I cleared out half of the trench for the drain line (David, I got back to where the short downhill hose joined in).

Tomorrow should complete the trench.  Then, I'll wait until Sean has a young gaffer on staff to help me uncoil the hose and make the connections.  After that it's just landscaping to make sure the elevations are correct and water doesn't collect anywhere.

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While I was working on this for the past two days, my sweetheart was spending time in hospital looking after a friend.  She's my Florence Nightingale (coincidentally, my maternal grandmother was born a Nightingale).

I am lucky man, but I've told you that before.

So, I took her out for dinner to acknowledge what she has done for her friend.

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Stay well.

Hosers

 Today's "day" lasted just an hour and a half, and it wasn't the weather's fault.  It was a perfect day to be outside, but after an hour of watering and weeding I decided to start work on replacing the drain line that had caused the flooding recently.

The new drain line that was installed coming down the slope has resolved most of the issue, but the old line still needs to be replaced to complete the fix.

So, I dug up the last broken section (Al, that is a shadow on the left, not a dark pit).

The next step is to re-excavate the rest of the route so that this replacement can be installed. 

But, that's a whole new deal and I decided it can wait for another day.

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Stay well.

Que Sera Sera

 I finished this area yesterday, but it looks like a coyote or skunk decided to dig into it overnight, perhaps to find a mole.

So, my first order of business was to put the mulch back where it belonged.

Then, I wondered what was under this mess.

Imagine that!

And that.

And a third one, like the first.  Job complete.

It might have been a bit easier if it had been done some time ago, but there are only so many two hour days in a week.

My "day" at Trillium Hill ranges between one hour and four hours, depending on the temperature, weather and the particular activity.  I can sit on the mower for three hours, but for heavy physical work my body rejects me after two hours.

Fortunately, that was enough time today to complete the job.  Que Sera Sera.

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Is anyone out there interested in sharing the drive to Florida with me, in exchange for a free vacation at Orange Lake Resort?

Mardi does not like the drive and would prefer to fly down.  Assuming that I find a willing participant, my current plan is to leave January 3, drive ten hours to Statesville, North Carolina.

January 4, drive 9 hours to Daytona Beach.

January 5, enjoy Daytona until it's time to pick Mardi up at either Sanford or Orlando airport in the early afternoon.  Check in to Orange Lake, then head to Miller's to celebrate granddaughter Anna's birthday.

Significant other could fly down with Mardi.  If you're interested, please let me know. 

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That's it for today.

Stay well.

Manana

 Today's project was to weed this area............. 

..........and then do some mulching.

I managed to get the area around the septic equipment area mulched, and rebuilt the frame around the water pipe, but ran out of steam part way through the weeding process.

Manana!

But Sue, I did fix the bathroom mirror as promised.

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Stay well.