The Fat Ewe Work Crew

Goodness gracious, I am so blessed. My best friend from home (White Rock, my cousin and my son are here to help me around the farm, and boy, what a team! Blanche dug and stacked hundreds of patio bricks mostly by herself with a little aid in the end from my cousin, Dave. Travis (son) and Dave removed the debris from the demolished porch in several loads and took it down the pasture where it can be burned in the winter when there is snow on the ground and it is safe. Some plywood and 2 x 4's were salvaged, but the majority was not good lumber to begin with and the porch was not built correctly, resulting in most of it being rotten. Can you believe that the wood was simply put on the ground, not treated wood either, with no sand, gravel or footings. Oh well, it did stand for 30 years, but the floor was bouncy and there were gaps where the boards near the ground completely rotted away. The contractor was to bring a trailer and haul the debris away over 2 weeks ago, but like every other trade around here, he did not show up. My crew and I have decided we will rent a post pounder and at least get the fence posts in the ground. I can attach the boards to the fence in the yard. I do not know how to build braces and gates and stretch wire though, but Dave does, as he grew up on the farm. If Travis and I give him a hand, perhaps we can do the fencing ourselves. We are going to try some and see how it goes. In the least, the posts will be in the ground ready for the next step. Dave is also going to supervise and build the deck where the patio once was.

Once the yard fence is up, the roses and flowers can be planted, finally. They have been in pots since March patiently waiting to feel the earth around their roots. I am grateful for my friend, cousin and son and the selfless work they offer to me. I am humbled by their efforts and I feel very blessed indeed.

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