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.
