Outdoor renovation

Cindy took this picture of the blackberries that are starting to come in.  The bush is located in the orchard which is in dire need of an overhaul.  There are 2 or 3 trees I should just rip out of the orchard since they either are not bearing fruit, look hideous or both.  I have been shying away from the large expenditure of physical labor it is going to take to make it happen. It would be cool to replace those trees with some new ones that I could try to do a better job of maintaining.

The landscaped area around the pool cage is looking quite ragged and piece meal as well.  Whatever plan I originally had for the plant layout around the pool was obliterated by frost damage and irregular pruning efforts.  It just looks unkempt.

Finally the pond area could use some TLC.  The liner is dried out and brittle and the wooden border that surrounds it is falling apart and looks like shit.  The pumps I have in the pond need to be replaced as well.  The trick there is pulling off the renovation without murdering the aquatic life that manages to survive in the small body of water.

Speaking of aquatic life, I have confirmed that at least 4 of the 11 or 12 goldfish that I scooped up from the foreclosed house down the street are still alive and kicking.  They like to stay real low in the water when I am around so unless I sneak up on them, it’s hard to get an accurate head count.

This weekend will be the last of a month long project which will once again require me putting in hours at a branch office on Saturday.  Unfortunately it is also the same weekend as one of our larger races of the year which I have to time first thing.   Also unfortunate is Cindy and I hope to go see Captain America Saturday night.  Since my day will probably start around 3:45 AM I am going to need to find some way to catch a nap or rely heavily on a 5 hour energy to prop me up.

I will be quite glad to have my weekends free and clear once again.