Country

Kate suggested photo op edges front south view.  

Brain minimizes building/man made object impact open country feel remains.  Air certainly cleaner - though chronic chronic indulger, much less phlegm here than SoCal freeway adjacent; crisper: over worked - all that digging! - right shoulder, cool wet sleet weather induce restful/writing fast Sunday.

     Plant jalapeno pepper, okra, corn rows; radishes,carrots coming up behind.

     Two fifty cent thrift store circle saw masonry blades score edge front pad/walk below front steps east one inch plus deep (all done deal here). 

4x4 persuade, break off large chunk, back yard transport atop came with house wheeled mop bucket - whatever's at hand works. 

Shovel undermine walk remainder, 4x6 bludgeon/break off, backyard wheelbarrow.  85 years front walk wed, three slab pieces semi-circumnavigate Swett Lodge, reunite, await fate below back porch: will they be together again?!?

Wheelbarrow numerous under front walk slab gravel loads behind garage, level car park to be,

return wheelbarrow sod/dirt full, fill front yard slab hole: grass multiplies - ugly car park front yard done.  Agree with neighbor: happy house.

     Extensive Eugene bike path system four plus mile Wednesday brilliant sun drenched - induces odd naked sense to overcast inured - walk promotes country feel.  Cross Willamette river foot bridge,

skirt verdant flood ponds,

cross Delta Highway foot bridge, shun pike through affluent neighborhoods, cross I5 foot bridge to Gateway Mall, take in cheapo movie day ($1.25) 'Little Red Riding Hood' - not bad, Sizzler dine, return home same path after dark: nice day away from the ranch.  Another evening will indulge in current Swett Lodge culinary craze: satisfyingly Tapatio hot sauce dripped whole raw carrot.

   Next gargantuan task: move back stoops back door closer/lower.  Garage - most annoying, furthest - steps first (demolition chunk loaded, ready to roll).

Wonder bar pry, hammer break 1-1/2" poured in conjunction with steps over original garage footing/entry door step slab to pieces.

Shovel under bottom step, wonder bar grub out three ancient interesting garage poured cement sediment filled cylindrical drain tiles (total eleven removed),

rusty water pipe 'til dirt free under first step.  Chisel/hammer (no clue whence came handy cement chisel, quarter for scale)

score, 4x6 pound, break off first step

along door sill.

Detritus piles up,

will refill/shore stressed/double cracked ancient garage entry area footing/slab.

Shovel/wonder bar grub out - yeah: couple roots/undermine steps (back of steps toward garage) enough to allow 2x6, multiple pipe section rolling sandwich.  Bottom foreground is main newer cast iron sewer line - tantalizingly close to garage: additional bath, perhaps garage laundry anyone?

Removal original north/east back porch corner support block (below stoop) allows temporary post support to settle way off level, bear on stoop - next order of business rejack porch roof, relevel post support block, install roller sandwich, shovel undermine remainder stoop lowering onto rollers, roll away behemoth steps: wish me luck!

     Saturday gent who donated Russian kale seed drops by, query disposition of bridge (?) sections

behind local apostolic church he attends, said 'Got 'em for nothing, used for stage once, no longer need, have at 'em': will be perfect rotten floor joist section replacements, foundation strengtheners - boon!  Assist spreading bark chips on his landscape client's yard; he hits rock, stymied by inoperable tiller - straighten bent tiller tang/fix tiller for him, repair tiller transmission's chronically broken linkage in minutes: job he was preparing to offer good money for, earn first Oregon wages.  Fast friends.  Talk about work habits mentions he - Oregon lifer - won't consider tackling job unless mentally sees way to task's end.  Not sure other's approach, this boy - true to Chicago roots - will attempt bull through regardless: figure somehow make it work.  Though wrong turns - certainly made - happen, negative results educate as much or more, knowledge building on knowledge through the years.  Never moved concrete slabs/stoops before, jacked houses (yet!) among thousands of other, many successful project attempts: try (be careful!), see what happens!  Get thrill successfully tackling unknowns, learn universe provides essentials.
     'Tis evening of the day;

sit, watch children play.....country living - in the city - at its finest! 

Mark your calendar: Swett Lodge open house/party week from Friday - May 20.   Burgers, salad, cheap beer served; bring something or don't, come or don't.  Enjoy.  Peace.