And now to start keeping a promise...

With the death of T, almost two years ago, a slow but major project here on the property came to a temporary halt. Landlady has stated that she's now ready to re-commence work on the first permanent dwelling here, and I am slated to finally complete one of the more irritating elements of the structure.

Casa Del Prado - The Meadow House - is cut into a hillside that constantly erodes every frickin' time it rains. Or doesn't rain. Or blows wind. Or doesn't. A stout retaining wall is clearly needed here. T had already dug this trench a couple of times before I showed up, over three years ago. Every time he turned his back on it, it filled in with sand and clay. My first month here he and I dug it out again, and it stayed dug out long enough for us to pour the foundation for the wall. Then he died, the project went on hold, and ... the damned thing filled in.



It has also been choked with tumbleweeds and blown litter, so step one was to deal with that.



Oh, my kingdom for a flamethrower. This would make such a lovely fire. But it's a windy day, and all the countryside downwind would make a not-so-lovely fire, so we're not going to do that. Anyway, the wind will take this pile away to parts unknown with no further input from me.

Step two: Digga We Musta. Fortunately this time all I need to do is clear the wall foundation and put up a few courses of block and then I can dig between the wall and the house's foundation for the french drain. Much easier than before.