At long last, the stone block wall that retains the low end of the koi pond has been repaired, with only a single finger smashed in the process of lifting heavy stones while holding back a branch of the wide spreading Acrocona spruce that hid the partially collapsed wall. Ever helpful, my wife suggests that there are “people” who can help with such tasks, then offers her assistance, after all stones have been reset. She comments (again) that this is work for younger folks, and I agree, but I’m not quite ready to admit I can’t do whatever’s necessary.

There is little rush necessary in getting around to many of the garden’s tasks, and by good fortune the wall did not collapse further and drain the pond. Some calculation was made in midwinter that the repair could be delayed until temperatures were more hospitable, though mud and high humidity today made the conditions for laboring somewhat less than ideal.

While not ready for public viewing, the drainage repair of the pathway area between the stone wall and the garden shed is nearing completion. Until last week, the area remained so soupy that no work could be done except to dig a wide trench in an attempt to dry the area out. With a few days without rain, I figured this might be as good as it gets, so the trench was widened and filled with a mix of river stones. Ferns and a ground cover (still to be determined) will droop over the edge, and the only thing that must be worked out is how to get the mower out of the shed. It’ll work, somehow.

There is a noticeable drop off in the hours of labor required once the early weeks of spring are past. Now, with the exception of repairing walls and drainage, I’m mostly puttering, which means a lot of wandering and admiring, mixed in with plucking a few weeds. This way, it hardly seems like work, though I’m most content once shrubs and hostas fill gaps that cover over most areas where weeds can grow.