Mid-summer progress

I've taken more time in June than anticipated with outside activities, but my board is now clear and Walnut Hill squarely in my sights. (To mix metaphors) This week has been spent getting the grounds whipped into shape. I spent the better part of two days just mowing the grounds and dealing with rocks. I've discovered that the rocks which jut out of the ground and bedevil my lawn mower can be reduced to ground level relatively quickly with a few deft blows from my sledgehammer. Thus mowing in the future will be much smoother and less troublesome.

I've also once more cut down a huge growth of sumac trees that continue to spring up from the old roots on the north side of the property where I want a rock garden. I was going to spray them in June but didn't get to it. By the time I got to them this week they were way too big to tackle with spray (many over 8' high), so I cut them down with the brush cutter, again, and will nail them with extra strength Roundup when they start to sprout again. I'm astonished at how persistant these trees are. If I could only find a use for these trees I could be a rich man.

That goes double for burdock. This weed pops up all over the place and if left unattended to will grow to prodigious size (8'+) very quickly. It seems to grow best in the areas I mow infrequently, rarely in the areas I've let go wild, which is odd.

As for the house itself, the ceiling is now down and out of the kitchen area. I've removed all the plumbing and wiring from the area as well. The floor needs to come up and then a window and a door opening widened. I also have to cut a new door opening in the north wall and from the dining room to the kitchen. Then we can begin thinking about installing the PEX tubing, insulation, etc. in there.

The trailer is set up and open for business. I put the awning out yesterday and had a refreshing lunch sitting in the shade. Still seems strange to actually own my own Airstream.

Today I plan to cut down a few remaining sumac and then toss the limbs on the burn pile. Also there are some hedges to cut back along the road. If I have time I'll install the new starter in Eloise. (The old one I took in to be rebuilt had no repairable parts in it, they said. $200, whew!) Once she's up and running it'll make the job of mowing MUCH faster. But it's been good to do the whole yard with the walk-behind because I've been able to note and eliminate so many of those rocks. Eloise will probably need a new battery before I can get her going though.

It feels good to have the grounds getting much more "trimmed up" than they've been in the past. The trees we cut down earlier are all now cut to firewood length and stacked up behind the chicken coop and the "cutting floor" area there is now cleaned up of weeds and whatnot.

Tomorrow I'll consult with a mason friend of mine on the best way to widen the window openings and cut the new doorway into the north wall of the kitchen. He's also got the right equipment to cut those openings cleanly and he's offered to let me borrow his big diamond blade saw.

Next week I want to first focus on getting the shop squared away and cleared for action. It would save a lot of time if I don't have to go hunting for things, so creating shelving and getting organized will be the first priority. Then I'll get the pool open. :)

We're on our way!

Doug