Looks like yesterday was the last freakishly warm day of the year. I made good use of it, too: borrowed David's truck and got some compost. The guy at the dump filled the truck extra full: 17 wheelbarrows full! I unloaded the whole thing in one afternoon. I filled in all the spaces I had left for paths on the bank along the driveway, then spread two wheelbarrows on the raised bed under the oak tree, then put some around the blueberry bushes and the new hydrangeas. And I still have one wheelbarrow full left.
It was tiring work, but it felt so nice to be outside all day. I have missed working in the yard so much. I really love these hard, dirty jobs that make such a big difference. It was a perfect day for it too. The air had that electric feeling of changing weather, and the dogs sat out with me all day. I had to work into the wee hours the night before to keep my day free for this, but it was well worth it.
The only trouble was with the truck. It gets harder to drive every time I borrow it. This time I had a really hard time changing gears, and couldn't get it into reverse at all. Unfortunately I didn't find that out until I was trying to turn the truck around behind the house. The truck got trapped back there and I stupidly tried to push it out. What can I say, I was hot and tired and filthy and I just wanted to be done with it so I could take a shower and a nap.
Of course I wasn't able to move the truck; all I accomplished was f***ing up my shoulder. No permanent damage though, I feel fine today. Just the normal soreness you'd expect after shoveling soil all day. And we did get the truck out when Georg got home, so no harm done.
Today the chimney sweeps came. Just in the nick of time! They cleaned out the fireplace and chimney, and repaired the broken cap on top of the chimney. I was concerned that Jane might try to make a break for it while the chimney sweeps were going in and out, but she just stood out in the yard with Thirteen and regarded the situation with suspicion.
This weekend I have big yardwork plans: first, my case of 400 daffodils arrived and need to be planted. That's why I needed the compost, so I could fill in the bank along the driveway and plant the daffodils there. Then if I have time on Sunday, I want to dig up the iris bed, remove the yuccas that took over in there, then spread that last wheelbarrow of compost, divide and replant the irises. Whew! I hope I can get it all done.
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