It doesn't seem like nearly two months since I posted in this thread! I've stayed busy, even if it isn't all productive.
A couple of weeks ago we planted 27 trees of various types. Kathy and I had both received our shipments from the Arbor Day Foundation, so those tiny shoots went into a bed between the camp and the drive, surrounded by fence posts, strung with twine and dangling CDs. It might not keep the deer out, but we will remember where they are when it's time to mow. We did have trouble with the dogs wanting to lie in the fresh dirt (and roll on top of the trees) as well as a few of the Blue Spruce being nibbled. Last weekend my grandson camped with us; he and I mulched the trees with shredded paper. Some of the pines don't look like they are going to make it. The flowering trees ... Perhaps this weekend will give a better idea. Two larger (30 footers) trees were transplanted from the edge of the woods (near the future lean-to) to spots near the ditch. They have been severely shocked and were moved to full sun, so they might not pull through. It just seemed a shame to throw the wild cherry and oak on a hugel bed without first checking to see if they would root in a new location. The Black lace Elderberry I bought last year did survive the winter in town and looks to be doing well in the new location.
More work has been done on clearing out the space for an equipment lean-to and the lawn mower was running for a while. The chain saws haven't been tuned up for the season yet, so we didn't get around to cutting logs last weekend. Instead, there was some serious clean-up done in the campsite, including taking out a multi-trunked, dead in the middle and putting out new shoots at the base (can you tell I don't know what the name is) tree near the stationary camper. Only one trunk went the wrong direction and smashed the soap bottle near my makeshift sink.
It could have been much worse!
While I went to town looking for a belt to fit my 20+ year old mower, Terry dug out the roots of the tree. We have talked about needing a well (for too long now) and the location is near about a dozen cottonwoods, so he went for depth and hit water at 8 feet. The hole was filled back in (kids and dogs, not to mention wild critters) for safety's sake. Tomorrow I hope to have time to visit some local businesses to pick up items needed for digging / drilling a shallow well in that spot this weekend. I've been immersing myself in videos so I have an idea of what will be needed. We bought the sand point several years ago but hadn't worried about additional pipe for length, or casing of any sort. Hopefully the camera will have a full charge so I can get photos of the process.
Did I mention that I've been offered a job? It's part time and I get to set my own hours, within the requirements of project dates and such. I'm hopeful that it will work well, since the interview process went on for a year and I'd hate to
hate it after spending so much time trying to get it in the first place! Training should be early June (I think), with the case load starting in July. A paycheck would come in handy for things like solar panels and deep cycle batteries to get started on setting up my own power grid.