and the job keeps getting better.
it's still gruelling, it's not time to plant anything or even prune yet, so it's been only difficult manual work, putting in the 'hard' landscaping elements, and regrading the soil.

we removed 2 retaining walls, now we are building new ones.
the boss is great, the excess ugly cement blocks from the old walls and the extra paving stones are going to be donated to habitat for humanity, as is the old fence.
totally awesome.
they will also get any excess plants or shrubs we have to dig out. this makes me very happy, and it seriously contributes to the feeling that i get to save the planet every day at work.

purple finches are the only new bird to report, the rest of the birds have been increasing in number steadily. the feeders need to be refilled daily.
the geese on the nearest drainage pond (or slough in the local parlance) have hatched 6 goslings.
the ducks there haven't nested. there are mallards, coots (moor hens) and blue winged teal.

there have been an increasing number of insects too. the ant queens flew on thursday and friday, there are more and more beetles and other little crawlies. there have been more bees, more flies and more worms too.

so far, we have built a labyrinth, levelled a hill, unmade a patio, cut new beds, edged them in some of the old patio pavers, shovelled a lot of crush, a lot of rocks, a lot of soil and moved a lot of rocks.

the family has made us treats now both fridays. it's wonderful. nothing like cookies and lemonade after a hard week's work.

the crew is pretty awesome. we get along well.

mornings are tough, i often fail at making a good enough lunch for myself. i wish i had someone to make me lunch.

i've already gotten a pretty good boot and glove tan. i foolishly failed at putting on sunscreen friday, now i have a hand print half way up my left arm, and the skin below it is tanned, and the skin above it is burnt. i've got to remember to apply it more evenly from now on.

must get back to my long weekend of rest.
God save the Queen, happy Victoria Day.