Spring's many blooms aren't the only thing to catch the eye.…
Isn't this lovely? I certainly thought so when I saw the way the strong afternoon sunlight looked streaming through the new leaves of my little purple smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria) near the driveway. A perfect example of nature's stained glass.
In case you're wondering, we're still working on the retaining wall. Obviously only a little bit at a time, given the slow progress—though we put in the hours and muscle power, and pay the aches and pains aftermath. There is every hope we'll finish the dratted thing before next winter. Maybe.
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11 comments:
Here's to understanding aches and sore muscles. Don't remember yard work hurting this much before! Good luck on the wall, and happy Easter to you two.
Debbie
Nice image, Grizz. I hope you have a nice Easter; the weather here on the Piedmont is perfect!
Debbie…
Most of the hardest work on the retaining wall is done. Getting that first row of railroad ties in place is really the worst of it—but all the lifting and dragging leaves you in such sad shape (well, it left me and my aging, abused carcass in pitiful shape) that doing the subsequent rows seems just as hard and takes just as long.
I know I could have done this modest no-sweat wall in two days, tops, a few years ago. Frankly, for me, the worst part is admitting to myself the reality of time and age.
Still, tomorrow is Easter…and what a glorious day that is! (Though gimping to church isn't going to be pretty.)
Scott…
The weather here today is absolutely perfect, too—crisp blue sky, the brightest sun, spring's wonderful greens, all the flowers and birds. Just a single breath makes you feel better, like a tonic.
Happy Easter to you and yours!
HI GRIZZ - when I read of your work w/railroad ties I was reminded of a memory my Dad shared of ow his Dad repaired their worn shoes w/rail road ties. I wonder how?
I love the picture Grizz - love it. Rest your aching back and have a blessed and loving Easter.
Love to you
Gail
peace.....
Gail…
You got me on the shoe repair memory—though I expect something is just a bit garbled in translation of your memory. Maybe they used the creosote in some manner, though I can't imagine how. Or maybe there's another material employed in the laying or manufacture of railroad ties that I don't know about. But a railroad tie itself is just a squared length of solid timber, 8 to 10 feet long and about 9 inches on a side, weighing several hundred pounds apiece. No shoe repair material there that I can see. But I'd also bet your Dad used something connected in some manner with railroad ties for his repairs…and I'm just not smart enough to bridge that gap and put the clues together.
Anyway, may you have a blessed and wonderful Easter!
The acid green vibrates the contrasting scarlet-that is a beauty-hope there is a chocolate bunny in your future-well deserved after all that back breaking labour.
AfromTO...
I hope so too. Chocolate can cure most anything.
HI GRIZZ - I wonder too how my Dad's Dad, my grandfather whom I never met but feel like I know from all the stories - and this shoe thing w/railroad ties is amongst the stories and a mystery. I am going to ask my Mom today since I recall her nodding whenever he shared this so she must have had a mental image. I will get back to you.
thanks for your wonder with me on this :-)
Love Gail
peace....
HI AGAIN - well, i called my Mom. As the story goes it is said that the railroad ties were fastened to the tracks with a leather/rubber type fastener. Over time these would come loose and my Dad's Dad would have the boys collect them and he would use those leather/rubber fasteners (ties) to make new soles for their shoes. My Mom added that after he finished the repairs he would throw the repaired shoes at the kids yelling something like "damn you kids, make these last"!!
So, there you have it! :-)
Love to you
Gail
peace....
Gail x 2…
Ha! I figured there had to be something like that involved because I believed the tale, though I also knew we were obviously missing a piece of the story. Now it makes perfect sense. That generation was resourceful in ways we can't imagine.
I'm glad you told this here, and even more glad you solved te mystery. That's really neat. Thank you!
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