pic of the day

Some old townhouses and apartment building

the big dig

It doesn't look like much, but this kinda work just plain sucks. Like most things that have to do with my landscaping projects I do things the hard way. What, me rent a bobcat to level out the backyard? Nah, that's what shovels are for. The strategy is simple. Wet it down and loosen the soil with a pickaxe and shovel away till your arms fall off. I've got to get this backyard level and prepped with fresh topsoil to prepare for a new irrigation system and a blanket of fresh sod. And I only have a week or so to do it. No pressure. The work is nowhere near as glamorous as my new patio either. I still have a small section to go, but I'm close enough I can taste victory. Strangely, I've grown to enjoy laying down pavers. -- I'm going to have to find a new hobby to take up my 15 min here and there.

Here's a sneak peak at something else in the works. I know I said I would put the retaining wall in stone, but I'm kind of digging this off the shelf stuff.. This was always the plan for my little side flower bed, but I mocked it up against the back wall to see if it looked cheesy or not. Thankfully I think it'll fit in nicely. Those massive piles of dirt will soon find their new home in these babies.

the three C's, minus 1

Used to be this region was known for the three C's: copper, cattle, and cotton. And while the cattle and cotton industry are far less important now than they were, say 50 years ago, they still exist to some extent. The copper industry is officially dead. And while there is a bit of nostalgia attached to the old copper smelter that has called el paso home for more than 120 years, I'm happy that the city can finally move away from an old industry that hurt the community more than it helped. My hats off to you asarco, you put up a good fight. RIP.

More info here.