We started tearing up the grass to install the new patio on Memorial Day weekend. What have I gotten myself into? Robert Gauthier and I rented a sod cutter and borrowed the Crystal Lake church’s van and trailer. The rain delayed the project until 9:30am so we did not get done until 2 – then I had to go to work. Wow, it was a lot of work and we hauled about four trailers of sod. But, the church benefited as we laid the sod around sidewalks and roads where the plow killed the grass. I’m reconsidering my plans of hand digging the 7 inches of topsoil.

Our garden was paved over by a bike path so we created another rectangular one. A spreadsheet was created with the layout and more permanent metal stakes were used to mark the rows. Now we have to keep the bunny out.

You know winter has arrived when the lakes get a layer of ice on the top. Yep, it’s true. The small lakes now have ice on top while the larger lakes have ice only on the shore lines. It won’t be long before I start getting my ice carving chisels ready for work.

The grass is now growing and needs to be mowed! I dusted off the old push mower and cut the front lawn today. The grass isn’t that tall nor thick yet so I lowered the blade one notch. It was nice to get back to summer chores.

The last time I mowed the grass was October. It seems so long ago. The oil in the mower looked clean so I must have changed it late in the season. But, I really can’t remember. That was eight months ago.