The photo I shared on Wednesday is of the lilies in the front flower bed. When C bought the house back in the fall of 2023, I had noticed three lilies in the bed, but there was no sign of the them in 2024. I planted a few ground covers, including a dead nettle from the house in town, and two varieties of bugleweed. My goal was to make the bed low maintenance. If you recall I moved the rocks around last fall (I found a bazillion of them in the back yard). Well, apparently moving those rocks provided an opportunity for the lilies to make another appearance. I'm thinking that the rocks would have warmed earlier in the sun. In any event, they have also multiplied. I'm looking forward to seeing them bloom - I have no idea what colour they might be.
It's been a full week with some work and some fun (and more of the latter to come). On Sunday, I had the refuse removal fellow come and he took away fence boards, the plywood and 2x4's that were the wall and work bench that I removed from the garage last fall, and some old metal pieces and other odds and ends we found in the area between the fence and the back of the garage. One old gate we weren't able to remove because a tree had grown through the wire and we would have needed to cut it apart or taken the tree down. This is one of those horrible Lombardy poplars that have a narrow trunk and grow very tall. This one has a trunk about 3 inches in diameter and is at least 16 feet tall. Can you imagine how long that has been there? I'll leave it for now, and since the fence won't extend across the back of the garage, we'll be able to take care of it later...maybe next spring.
Monday was more weeding. I did a run to the garden center with my handy gift cards and picked up grass seed. Initially I had thought I'd just seed micro clover, but have decided to do a mix of grass and clover. I also picked up a seed spreader, with the hopes of getting a more even looking lawn at some point.
On Tuesday, D and Eli were in the city for a couple of doctor's appointments. We were hoping that the neurologist would agree that Eli can stop taking the seizure meds as he's been seizure free for nearly 15 months, and his recent EEG was clear. However, Dr. I. wants Eli to see the pediatric neurologist as he specializes in adults, primarily stroke victims. He also suggested Eli's brain is still developing, and he's uncertain what impact discontinuing the meds would have. Eli's been on the waiting list for the pediatric neurologist for more than a year. D had contacted their office last fall and was told to wait 12 months and try again. (I should note that he wasn't considered to be a priority because he hadn't had a seizure after his hospitalization.)
Before their next appointment, an eye exam by another specialist, they met me at the McDonald's in the east end of the city near the Costco. We made a quick trip to Dollarama (in the same area), before enjoying our lunch. It was so great to see them both, and I got a couple of amazing hugs from my special boy. I was able to send back the groceries and other items I've gathered up for her, which is nice, as I'll have less to take with me in a few weeks.
When I arrived home, I discovered the utility company rep had been out to mark the underground utilities. I had originally assumed the skid steer company had made the request, but it was actually the fence company. I learned this when Kevin called to say he'd be by Thursday morning to complete the skidsteer work in the back yard.
Stitch and chat was Wednesday afternoon. It was an easy morning, with a bit of housework, before I headed out before lunch. It's been a long time since I've gone for a walk in the old neighbourhood and decided it was time. I ought to have taken my Canon with me but here are a few photos from my cellphone.
I was shocked to see that many of the trees that lined the pond had been removed in the last year or so.
And, of course, I couldn't leave without a photo of the younger goslings!
Early Thursday morning, about 8:15 a.m., I heard noise in the backyard. I went out to check, assuming it would be Kevin the skidsteer guy, but instead finding Garrett, the fence guy. He and his worker were taking down the last of the fence and gates. He'd had a call from Kevin so came over to get some help removing the fence posts. Kevin arrived minutes later and used the skidsteer to lift the posts out of their holes. We had thought they might be cemented in, but in actuality several of them were dug at least three feet in. No wonder my con C, wasn't able to remove them! The skidsteer did the job in seconds.
Once the fence was removed, Kevin went to work. Here's the before and after:
It's difficult to tell in these photos but Kevin moved the dirt higher at the front of the yard by the house to ensure that the rain moves towards the alley. (I put the drain pipe back after the photo was taken). He also filled in a dip between the back yard and the alley. We didn't have to bring any additional dirt into the yard, it's just been moved around. I am beyond thrilled with the work.
Have a great week ahead everyone!
The yard looks good! Sounds like you will have a good weekend!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Connie!
DeleteThe yard looks terrific! It was nice to see the goslings, I haven't been near water lately to see any here, must do so if we ever have decent weekend weather!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, it sounds wonderful!!
Thanks Kim. I've been missing my walks, so it was fun to see the babies.
DeleteAwesome work on the yard!!! Kris needs to do a bit of work on his yard as well this year (other than gardening).
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend.
God bless.
Thanks Jackie. There always seems to be yard work to be done.
DeleteI am glad to see that the geese and the ducks are doing well in your corner of the world. The news from Saskatchewan is consumed by the dreadful fires and we wish for rain and cool weather for you. Stay well and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThanks David. The fires are devastating with nearly 500000 hectares burned already. In my part of the province we are only dealing with the smoke. No rain in the forecast, though temps are cooling down. However we are still very dry.
DeleteYou have been busy. I hope the fires won’t affect the air quality during your get-away. What is happening in norther Saskatchewan is scary for sure. I hope you can relax and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie. Most of our activities are indoors. However, the winds are supposed to change couse today and rid us of the smoke. Fingers crossed.
DeleteWhat an eventful week. The fence and yard look nice. I really need to get my fence re-done. We are having that smoke down here in Indiana as well. The past couple days have been so very hazy and stinky like smoke.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week.
Thanks Cheryl.
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