They are building a house next to us.  We knew it would happen eventually, but I had pictured it being further from our property line and higher up on the hill.  As it turns out — its right next to us.  Actually, it’s right next to our compost pile – which might not be so nice for our new neighbors.

We’ve grown accustomed to the privacy we have on our back patio, so Chris embarked on yet another project on the farm… a lattice privacy screen on the edge of the patio.  He planned it all out, built it flat on the patio – and then announced that “all we have to do” is lift it in to place so he could cement the posts into the ground.

I admit it.  I was very skeptical.  The lattice screen is 8′ wide by 12′ tall when you count the long legs on the thing.  And it’s heavy.  Lifting it upright and into position meant hoisting it up with the bulk of it over my head, wiggling the legs down into the holes and holding it still (and level) until the cement sets  — on a windy day.  Yep.  That was the plan.

And it worked!  Like magic!  The legs slid down into the post holes.  Chris quickly attached some pre-drilled braces to temporarily hold it straight and level, and poured in the concrete. Now we have a lovely privacy lattice.  I think it needs some wisteria.