A year ago, Elizabeth and I set out to build a French drain in the back yard of her house to alleviate some drainage issues.  The problem is that the weather a year ago was that, in the process of digging the trench for the retaining wall and drain, we encountered an enormous tree stump that had been buried.  That, and wet weather, led us to abandon the project, leaving her with a swale in the mean-time.  This summer, we contemplated working again, but the heat and humidity were not ideal conditions.  The fall?  Sure, but I needed to be in Columbia, Mo. for graduate school.  Winter break?  Um, no.  So, that leaves now as the ideal time to work.

Tuesday was attempt number one at building the retaining wall.  Yesterday was the successful attempt.  Today?  Gravel, drain pipe, and more gravel.  Just one ton.  Literally… to be updated tomorrow.