Bopcha Blog

These extenders are for Septic System #2. Sid, always on the lookout to save us money, serviced Septic System #1 himself! Now it is good for another 5 years.

Next comes the dirt to fill and level.

A nice flat place for a garden.

A blast from the past. We kids used to pick wild blackcaps with Mother. We now have two plants in one of the farm gardens. Keep your fingers crossed!

The fiberoptic contractors cut the telephone line to the farm. The telephone company ran a line from the mobile to the farmhouse as a temporary fix. Ultimately the line will be made intact and will share the fiberoptic cable tube when it is finally placed underground.

Sandra dug out the tangled mess that occupied this corner. Sadly, some of the mess was poison oak and yes, Sandra’s arms got the brunt of it.

While making sure the forest road up Rock Creek is clear enough for a tour, we found a blooming Scotch broom. Grrrrr…..

Placed the game camera. Hope it catches some wildlife.

Bianca’s bark woke Sid in time to see six elk crossing our field!

Heading into the farm to do some Scotch broom eradication and we spotted a committee of turkey buzzards (five of them!) lurking … why? Were they mad at Sid?

Well, Sid was working on repairs to the hydrant, so he was available for an attack.

The honeybees were ready to help, if needed. Who were they going to help? Good question.

This little spot off the lower field is notorious for Scotch broom.

We got quite a few in an hour of work with two people.

Our leasing agreement looks as if it will work out. Look how great the northern field looks mowed!

Also, the work leveling the ground is proceeding as planned.

The hydrant broke and the water came spewing out! Luckily Sid was there to install a new one.

Mike the woodcutter cleared more of the forest roads AND he did it very quickly compared to Bill and my efforts

The crowd at the Fenders Blue Butterfly tour Bill and I attended on Saturday.

This OSU prof showed us how to count the elusive little rascals.

A way to kill weeds so native flowers can be planted and have a chance of surviving.

Sid is making lots of progress on creating a level path and level ground between the mobile home and the big garage/barn.

The barrier will allow for dirt to fill in and level the ground to its right where the wheelbarrow is resting.

Slab of manufactured marble will be glued to the side of the shower to fix the leak.

Our old picnic tables were aging, so we bought two strong new ones that …. needed to be assembled.

The instructions said two people could do it … Sid did most of the first one by himself. The second one took three of us.

I really did help.

They look nice … and they collapse for storing.

In the meantime, Sandra had her own project.

Sid had another project as well.

Bianca was busy guarding.

The City is starting work on placing the water line along Henkle Way instead of across our property.

Marking for where a water line will come up to our house.

Sid rototills while the chickens laugh.

Rock Creek is high, despite the lovely day.

Good day for Scotch broom removal.

Not to mention blackberry bushes.

I don’t know what to say about these two crazy birds!

10 yards of mulch and soil get delivered and spread around.

Our hand tool handles broke, so we brought in Gio with the big guns to do the spreading.

Tortellini had ear surgery. He is resting comfortably.

When they aren’t tending Torti, Rossanna and Sandra bake tasty Italian treats.

Spring is coming! The flowers in the woods are blooming.

And the Scotch broom is multiplying.

We didn’t bring the chain saw …

The blackberry vines never quit trying to take over.

It turns out that full replacement is the solution.

Looks pretty nice! And it works, too! Good work from non-certified plumber Sid.

Sadly, there is another concern …

This is a hole in the ceiling of the downstairs bathroom where water has leaked from the upstairs bathroom down to the ceiling of the downstairs bathroom. An examination of the upstairs bathroom fails to reveal the source.