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Very tiring activities but my labor is cheap!! I’ll need David (briefly) to help “dip” the awning over the repositioned rain barrel. See my blog message Reorganized garden.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” In my humble opinion, my “storage shelter” will be “splendid”!! It is truly remarkable how David took salvaged pieces of pipe and engineered a structure that will withstand an earthquake. The five cement “anchors” weight over one-hundred pounds each. The wind won’t topple them!! Pipes slide together; pipes slide into angled “joints”; screws hold them so they won’t wiggle apart.  We’ll make every effort to secure the camouflage tarp but recognize that a hurricane could rip away “the roof.” (Hopefully, no hurricane!!) ~~ The first two pictures show the completed structure.

Allow me to take you back to the beginning… and bring the pictures up-to-date. To the left, an Internet picture that suggests the original retail item. ~~ David graciously hauled the long-neglected, rusty, dirty pieces from the yard of a friend (at Escapees Rainbow’s End RV Park).

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David brought another fifty-pound bag of planter soil (yesterday) and before noon (today) it was empty!!

Diverse activities today!! First thing this morning, a trip to Builder’s Supply for eight cement paving blocks–to extend the patio. ~~ David’s first stop was Lowe’s for the lumber for steps, and another bag of planter soil (which saved me a trip to Livingston). ~~ Per my request, David built steps for a friend (in Escapees Rainbow’s End RV Park). Although I’m an active senior, I’m cautious about falling. I worry when I see steep steps and a frail senior.

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Frankly, David still has several other jobs on the “to do” list but knew I’m anxious for the “storage shelter.” It was a matter of trying pieces to see what would “fit” and whether there were sufficient (for want of a better description) “joints.” Slowly, miraculously, it came together!! ~~ I never expected the salvaged pieces to provide such a large framework: Seven-foot by twelve-foot.  David laughs and says “Look at all the space to hang plants [inside] from the roof.” ~~ Honestly, it doesn’t look like much right now but (hopefully) attractive when covered with the ten by twenty-foot tarp. ~~ I’m so anxious to get some of my clutter out-of-sight!! ~~ (No, I don’t have a dog. That’s David’s “Poncho.”)

As indicated (yesterday), I went shopping at Lowe’s this morning. Seventy pounds of bird seed and fifty pounds of planter soil. Before the sun was dipping in the Western sky, the fifty pound bag of soil was empty. That old saying “The last shall be first” is what I whispered to “Corie” (the Coreopsis) when I took her picture first. The planter isn’t full but enough for a couple of days (until another trip to Lowe’s). Earlier, I transplanted two different Lantana plants, and a Dwarf Butterfly Bush. At Lowe’s, I was attracted to an unknown plant, a “mark down.” The name is Photinia and it loves full sun (so a good candidate for “the other side” garden). The Aster (another mark down) will remain in its nursery pot a few more days. ~~ It was a perfect day, weather-wise!!

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The Photinia was transplanted into an old, large plastic waste basket. In North Carolina, I stored bird seed in the waste basket–and squirrels gnawed holes in the bottom. Because the Photinia becomes a large shrub, I wanted to give it lots of soil for the roots.

Two years ago, I was ready to leave Waxhaw, North Carolina en route to Livingston, Texas. After several years volunteering with Wycliffe Bible Translators, I was planning to volunteer at Escapees CARE. I closed one chapter… and started writing another.

Oct 3, 2013: Hitched up…

Oct 4, 2013: Almost…

Oct 5, 2013: On the road

Oct 5, 2013: More on the road

Oct 6, 2013: Blessings in abundance!!

I echo that last title: “Blessing in abundance”!! Being “tired” is a lament you have heard from me over the months. I guess that goes with being “three quarters and counting” (eighty [80] years young). I’m so grateful for good health and the ability to work on projects in my yard. (And help a dear old gentleman in the adjacent Escapees Rainbow’s End RV Park.) Life is good!!

It’s 8:30 as I publish this message and I’m ready to work in the yard. The weather is blissfully cool and delightful!!

It was an absolutely perfect day weather-wise. I worked in the yard all day!! I emptied planter soil bags–and transplanted plants. Flowering plants received plant food. Early afternoon, I started moving planters because my plans (and David’s) require a total shuffle of my planters (a reorganization of my garden). I need to put down more cement blocks to extend the patio  (toward the storage building). Late afternoon, I went to a friend’s home for–and dug up–Mexican Petunia plants. Today, too much heavy lifting BUT very satisfying to almost finish the garden at the side of the trailer–and prepare for the day(s) when jack-of-all-trades, David, starts working on my “shelter” and a list of other tasks. (Selling my beloved T@B teardrop trailer put money in my bank account and I can afford to hire someone to help with projects. But I’ll still “do” ninety-percent of my yard.) ~~ Tomorrow: A trip to Livingston for more bird seed, and more planter soil!! (Bone-weary; I’ll sleep well tonight?!)

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My “side yard” garden was prepared because my new neighbor admired my “front side” garden!!

Let me explain. The garden “grew” without an original plan. The major definition was purchase and location of two rain barrels. In the early months of my residency, I collected water in dish pans, etc., etc. When FedEx delivered the rain barrels, I (obviously) put them under the corner of the awning that channels rain water. In picture one, note the low “arm” support. I’ve hung that bright orange vest to alert my visitors. (Yes, visitors have bumped their head!!) My friend and handy-man, David, wants to position the “arm” perpendicular BUT the rain barrels prevent that. My current challenge: Empty the rain barrels and temporarily shift them out-of-the-way. The answer: 1) Drop both “arms” (and secure them), 2) “dip” the awning at the other end, and then 3) appropriately position the rain barrels. In picture two, see where I removed several large planters in preparation for the rain barrels. Hey, this is a major undertaking!! At least four more cement (patio) blocks at the far end… and eventual “re-do” of blocks where the barrels currently sit. Finally, decide where to relocate the planters (nine are victims of this shuffle).

Two bags, fifty pounds each, were used for two new portable “supports.” My backyard neighbor has complained about my “crap” (her word, not mine) so I’ve begun the process to block the view of my yard. ~~ In a matter of weeks, I may have the new “shelter” (to the left of the storage building) and I can stash some of my clutter out-of-sight. ~~ The weather is cooler and very pleasant to work in the yard.