My neglected blog does not reflect an empty life, but an engaged one, as you might guess.  Docent activities at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, an out-of-town wedding, a rewarding four-day Poetry Conference on the coast of Connecticut:  all these things deserve space on my blog. However, today I want to document a project that began in the fall of 2018:  The Great Wall of 3867 Holmes Street.

At that time, with the design guidance and physical assistance of Ann the Garden Gal, Bill created a beautiful new landscape across the front of our home. He does not shrink from heavy labor, and the result came close to his original dream.

14,000 lbs. of Missouri rock

Work in progress

Earliest plantings

Then…disaster.  Last month, water in the basement indicated a problem.  It was a problem beyond the efforts of Bill with his huge inventory of equipment to resolve, so professional plumbers were called in.  Major digging ensued.  Especially heartbreaking was the destruction of much of the wall on both sides of the yard in order to admit the backhoe.  Backhoes are not delicate, and their operators neither.

A rude intrusion

As of now, the repair has been completed and order restored.  More backbreaking work for Bill.

Order restored

As any woman will tell you, the beautification of aging bodies is time-consuming and expensive. For my part, I remain profoundly grateful for my tireless and visionary husband and partner in the upkeep and enjoyment of our home.  We hope that hospitality in this home might include any reader of this blog at some time.

Here’s a happy postscript.  After the recent renovation of the bell tower at Second Presbyterian Church, we were delighted to purchase one of the spires which had been replaced.  Now it adorns the Bee Garden in the backyard. How did Bill transport this 400 lb. hunk of concrete from the church to the garden? He’s an engineer and he never gives up.  All’s well that ends well.

The Spire