Despite the fact that we got almost a 1/3” of rain this weekend it is time to start thinking about irrigation. We have a well pump with a conversion to pull surface water ready to go, I just need to get the water storage area ready. Years ago we learned that there is hole in the earthen dam. So I went up there on Sunday and dug down until I hit water. My plan is to fill the entire hole with concrete. The dam doesn’t leak until the water backs up about a foot higher than it is now. I had to find the power cables to the pump first to ensure I did not get popped by 220V of electricity. I also noticed that there is a lot of silt buildup in the throat of this channel. I will need to crawl down there with a shovel and get it all out so it doesn’t get sucked up into the pump and clog our sprinklers.

While I was doing this I heard our Border Terrier, Milo barking. He was supposed to be in the front yard of the house and I was 100 + yards away. He had gotten out through the garden gate, it was open then he found a hole in the orchard fence. I am not sure where the hole is located but he was out and causing chaos. I called him over and he was covered in mud and water. He had been down in the creek and crawling through the mud. I told him to lay down and went back to sticking my head in the hole to get to the bottom. At some point, within a couple of minutes, he was gone again. I heard him raising Cain and had to go over and call him off the blackberry bush. He had something trapped inside and was unable to get to it. He has a serious hate for raccoons and he was pretty agitated but came over wagging his tail. He had blood all over his left ear. The dummy had scratched himself on the bush! He ended up going to Grandma’s house for a spa day.

I decided to spend a few hours focused on the rock wall. It is paying off but now it is getting much harder. I am having to move a lot of dirt and dig down a couple of feet by hand. I wanted to keep the wall straight so I strung up a string line so it would not bow as bad as last time. I do want to redo it a third time! In about two more feet of wall I will have to take down the metal fence and then go pick more rocks off of the hillside. I will have used up all the rocks within reach.

I have decided to take up another hobby. I am going to try and grow some Bonsai trees. I realize they are slow going but I have 20+ years so I am going to give it a go. I have my first one started and will be looking for some more. I have some seeds to start my own trees from scratch. It will be an interesting endeavor.