Day 131

With Jerry Blair & his Bobcat confirmed to be on-site within the next day or so to grade the former construction zone, we knew that our carefree days of 4-wheeling in the back yard were drawing to a close. So Kim took the opportunity re-mulch the Boyz’ swingset area:

Remember the Harley Rake mentioned earlier? It is a powered attachment that mounts on the front of a Bobcat:

Due to the dust, it’s kind of hard to see in the picture below, but a Harley Rake is a long, steel, spinning drum with spikes which break up dirt clods and push rocks into piles. At various points during the grade, Jerry remounts his scoop, and loads the rocks up on his truck.

The results are impressive. I could just about open up a golf course:

No great pains were taken to remove the bulk of the sand at the former sandpile/mortar mixing station since the station had been established over [primarily] Zoysia grass, and I’m told that Zoysia is very comfortable in a sandy environment:

The world seems to be running out of fine people like Jerry & his helper Greg. Not only was Jerry up-front about what my job would take, he did an excellent job in less time than originally e$timated, and advised me quite accurately about how much seed & straw I would need to spread in the graded area.

So, after spreading 60 pounds of fescue seed & seven bales of straw, and establishing four sprinkler zones, we are now just waiting for Mother Nature to take her course:

Some shrubs & bushes are destined for the new area, but not just right now. One company came in and estimated $20,000 for new greenery & and a sprinkler system for the entire lot. But that’s a little more than I care to spend at this juncture…”not gonna do it, wouldn’t be prudent”…

So, with grass started, floor sanding & laundry room cabinets are the only major items left on the Project list, and I’m nearly done with cabinets’ construction. The end is truly in sight.