The fires continue to burn, but I can see actual blue sky (ok pale somewhat hazy blue) above the doublewide.

Hole for the forthcoming water tank (aka “the cistern”) is being dug as i type these words. Next will be additional oak limb removal to make room for the crane that will deliver said cistern.

Check out the edge of the excavation above. The ground here is mostly clay and hard as concrete, the bucket of the excavator actually leaves a polished shiny edge. What do i know about clay soils? They hold water really well and they’re actually very fertile, but they require irrigation to grow most crops. Also you really don’t want to mix any sand into them, because then you really will have concrete. They take and hold amendments well, too. They’re good for cover cropping and do well with green manure… so that’s the plan as we get further into summer, sow a cover crop with the plan of turning it in come spring. No shortage of plans.

Neighbor i drove down to Corning yesterday just checked in and the shop claims his truck is ready to come home. Note to self: Ford 6 liter diesels are persnickety to repair. Honestly though, three weeks in the shop. In fairness he tried to go cheap and took it to a generic place on the one main street of Corning. He admits he probably should have gone to the Ford dealer three blocks further down.

New hole in the ground and blue sky above… that’s about as much as i could ask for at this point in the day.