Disaster averted, planting continues

Not sure if this photo was taken before or after THE BIG EVENT.

The soil is rock hard at Randy's LA address, where landscapers Nicole and David are making over Randy's front yard. They rented an auger to penetrate the stubborn ground and everything was going great, until, but we'll let Randy tell it. He writes:

I'll be brief because I'm exhausted.

Things started off swimmingly this morning...the work moving at a quick pace...UNTIL...the power auger nicked a hole in the main water line!

Can you say Old Faithful? Gazillion gallons of precious L.A. water gushing down the neighbor's driveway, transforming Rowena into the Mississippi!

Horrors.

Dave finally got the water turned off...the valve being really rusted over for 85 friggin' years...then ran to the local hardware store for a new piece of pipe...and then he, the master welder, repaired the damage...using the old trick of stuffing a bread bun into the pipe so no water would get on the weld, etc...

Anyway, THREE HOURS LATER...the planting commenced again (no water, remember?)...and toilets were flushed of kiddie dookey...

By sundown, Nicole was still going strong, but David calmly says, "That's enough for today."

And so we repaired into the dining room for a lovely dinner prepared by Chef Randini.

The planting should be finished by tomorrow...and soon, the coup de grace -- the grass! -- will be installed betwixt and between.

Find enclosed some progress shots...along with Nicole working the power auger -- "no sweat!" says she -- with her husband. What a brilliant team they are.

Onward, Randy

Trees are in. Grass is coming. Water main repaired.