There has been action on the lot across Main Street from us: A foundation was dug and new cement poured. NE Iowa received several inches of wet, heavy snow earlier this week, now mostly melted, and there are a few other notes of minor interest. Let’s get into it!
After many weeks off inactivity, last week saw quite a bit of action on the lot across Main Street from us. The excavator was fired up and a large hole for a new basement was dug.
A crew arrived to put in the footings, followed by installation of wall forms.
Finally, cement was pumped into the forms, leaving the top of the foundation quite a bit higher than the surrounding lawn.
The activity has ceased for the moment, although additional minor work has been done such as some backfilling the foundation. I expect water and sewer lines will next be installed before some sort of modular home is moved in.
While much of the excavated dirt was hauled away, there remains a wall of dirt on the Main Street side of the lot. This makes the view from the Heart House bay windows a bit bleak. (Particularly now that the trees previously there were trashed.)
It is to be hoped more work continues as weather allows, and the house is moved in soon, so the wall of dirt can be removed and the lawn areas will “green up” as spring arrives.
A typical “March Madness” storm brought the state several inches of very heavy and wet snow earlier this week. While it is now mostly melted, it was a bit difficult to clear from normal walking areas around Heart House.
The extended forecast is for mild weather over the next 10 days, with highs into the 40s (approaching 50 a few days) and just below freezing at night. I expect the remaining snow to melt completely by this time next week.
Summer travel plans for me are beginning to take shape. A visit to Felicity in New York is definitely on the list as there are a few items to take to her. At least one trip, possibly two, to The Lot in Colorado are potentially on the agenda. I have considered visiting Toby in Las Vegas (either drive or fly) if that could be arranged. Plans are tentative at the moment but some broad outlines are in place.
Trips need to be scheduled around a couple other events. We are on the local plumbing shop’s schedule to have our water service line replaced this spring, and Pam wants me here for that project. There will likely be the need to remove dog enclosure fencing for the dig; plans are afoot to reconfigure the dog enclosure area after. Ideally both items would be spring projects, which should allow the lawn to recover after the work.
Since sidewalk sections (at the street plus around the house) will have to be removed to replace the water line, some cement work will be needed to complete the project. We have contacted the guy who did our sidewalk work in 2020 and he says he will come around and give us a quote for the job.
Spring — officially here on the calendar. Tulips and daffodils are poking up in the flower bed, and “attendance” at the bird feeder has fallen off. Mulch was removed from the Mary Lynn bed and some other clean-up of winter leaves was accomplished, with the debris taken to the town’s compost site. There is much to do yet, though, and when the weather improves it will be time to get outside and work on spring chores.
Inside, I continue with some under-the-hood changes to web pages by adding and updating some Javascript scripts. These streamline the pages and help them load faster. Pam continues to peruse home listings in Michigan, but mainly she works with Grayce, helping Grayce get used to the other dogs and cats. Both of us always look forward to getting out of the house more as weather turns milder.
While I am still wearing my medical boot upon my left foot, there has been noticeable improvement and the ankle is feeling much better. I have had the boot off now and then, walking around the house, and although the ankle is still stiff the swelling has gone down and my ability to walk normally has gotten better. An upcoming appointment will give me a medical update, but I am looking forward to the day when I can take the boot off for good.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
Puppies are certainly cute, and it’s a good thing, as they are also extremely frustrating. Grayce and I are in a battle of wills most of the time these days. Reconfiguring both internal and external environments helps me reduce the number of times I need to say “No!” and “Leave it!” and to try for more times expressing the “good dog!” sentiment. Having said that, this dog cannot grow out of puppyhood fast enough for me.
Outside spring work, when the weather allows, will keep me away from the news of the truly disturbing First Felon’s administration. As Himself and I discussed when we paid off the mortgage last August (before the election), our Social Security retirement money is a tempting political target. Greedy grifters constantly eye SS – calling it an entitlement and not earned monies. It’s just a matter of time before some low life makes a grab at that honey pot. When it happens (not if), it will be time for me to join the Dangerously Angered Silver Hair Ladies League. The country isn’t ready for pissed off old ladies…I’m talkin’ to you, MAGA voters.
Happy Trails.
