The Yard And A Covid Update

First the Covid update. Those in the family who have had it:

1. Me, I think. It was very light if I did. Didn't test. Don't know for sure. 

2. My wife.

3. My step-daughter twice.

4. Her husband.

5. My Grandson.

6. The mother of my granddaughter's soon to be ex-husband visiting at my son's house. 

Another 10 days of quarantine for the whole house over there. That's it for now.

Well, the yard project is on hold for the moment. 

After removing the little bit of dirt to put in the walkway, I wondered how to dispose of said dirt. 

This area in the picture below is clean and has landscape fabric over it awaiting the plastic edging for the walkway. 

The easiest way would be to shovel it into our green recycle bin. You know those big green 96 gallon plastic "cans". Only problem is they don't take dirt. So I called. 

"You might try the Landfill in Sacramento." Go to the website, voila, they take dirt. 

Then, there is the cost. The little patch above would be enough dirt to fill my pickup. Don't want to overload it and bust the springs. 

So let me list the costs:

Sod cutter $250.00 for two days. 

Cost of landfill: $128.00 per ton. A half ton P/U would be stretching it to put 2000 lbs in the back. Assuming (bad word) it would be close, $128.00 per load. Estimated number of loads for the yard, 30 or more. $3840.00, OUCH. 

Cost of gas: Maybe 2 trips per tank. Last time I filled up: $65.00. Figuring about 15 trips (to start), right around $1000.00. 

Cost of me shoveling in and out of the truck, priceless. Oh wait, that's a credit card saying isn't it? Deadly is probably a better word. 

So for now, looking for plan B. 

Stay Tuned.   

Did You Know?

This is a post about REO Speedwagon. You've heard of the band? 

REO Speedwagon

How about the truck?

1936 REO Speedwagon Pickup

Or this one: REO Speedwagon Lorry.

Or 1949 REO Speedwagon Pickup.

How about a 1905 REO?

But, did you know what REO stands for?

Ransom Eli Olds. Getting close?

Oldsmobiles. 

No longer made, by the way. 

The Ongoing Front Yard Saga

When last I left you on December 15th, the grass continued to grow. 

This is that picture.

This morning, I read John's post (Finding the Caveman Within) about him getting out and mowing the lawn at one of his client's house. John, as you know, is recovering from the "snap" and if he can get out and mow, so can this gimp. And so I did. 

Doesn't look much different although it is a bit (about 5 inches) shorter. 

That said, you'll remember Katherine's daughter got Covid and had to cancel the whole removal until the end of tax season. Well, her husband also got Covid about two weeks ago. Having a double dose of shots, he sailed through pretty well. 

Then my grandson got it. He works in a retirement home and several workers got it too. He went into quarantine along with my son and his family for about 2 weeks. I tell you, that shit is everywhere. 

So, while all this was happening, I'm working on the walkway into the back yard. It will be 4 feet wide from the stakes on the right and edged with a plastic border. First though, I have to get the grass out.   

Almost there with the first side. Tried a flat shovel. Too hard. Tried a spade (pointed shovel). Too hard again. Don't have a lot of energy and it doesn't take long to expend it. 

Then I had one of those gardening epiphanies. Get a hoe. No not that kind. The garden kind. 

OK, worked somewhat, but needed something. Aha, another epiphany. Wow, two in one day. Must be something spiritual. Highly unlikely in my case. 

Out came the grinder. Looks something like this:

Make the hoe sharp. Perfect. Start hacking away. While I was sharpening the hoe, I also sharpened my Hula Hoe. In case you don't know what they look like. 

Seems I'm good for about 4 feet and then pooped for the day. Like I said, not much energy. 

That's where the front yard stands at the moment. More to follow.

Stay tuned. 

Another Joke, I Can't Help It