A surprising number of people showed up to ogle Lestrade help us dig this morning. Six mothers, four fathers, one confused Swedish au pair, plus L and I, Sherlock and Mycroft, and an assortment of everyone's children, who ranged in age from Barely Walking to Old Enough to Use a Shovel. The dogs of war came too, and I think they must have some herding dog in their dubious lineage; they're not much at digging where we want them to dig, but they're pretty good at keeping the little ones out of trouble.
I'm pleased to report that no one turned up in high heels or a suit and tie. I did have my doubts. No one except L and the Landscaper had much idea what we were doing, but fortunately digging is not a complicated or mentally strenuous activity (my sergeant in basic training would've said, "If it was, we'd get real soldiers to do it!" - he said this about nearly everything we did), and L supervised the construction of the raised beds.
They will never be filled, incidentally. Those raised beds. They're enormous, but that's not why. I'm fairly sure they've also got some sort of built in magic that makes dirt disappear when you dump it into them. Useful trick for getting rid of dirt, but Mrs T's going to be in trouble if she ever wants to grow anything in them.
Mrs T, by the way, has sensibly opted for bringing us cold drinks and making sure the children don't kill each other.
Mycroft and another boy and girl around his age helped with the digging and with filling the bottomless raised beds, and I have never seen Mycroft more covered in mud, not even when he and Sherlock went in the pond at the park. Like everyone else, he looks pretty happy about it.
I do hope there's a hose though. Otherwise we're all going to be arrested on the way home, on charges of being Indecently Filthy in Public and also Smelling Really Peculiar.
I'm pleased to report that no one turned up in high heels or a suit and tie. I did have my doubts. No one except L and the Landscaper had much idea what we were doing, but fortunately digging is not a complicated or mentally strenuous activity (my sergeant in basic training would've said, "If it was, we'd get real soldiers to do it!" - he said this about nearly everything we did), and L supervised the construction of the raised beds.
They will never be filled, incidentally. Those raised beds. They're enormous, but that's not why. I'm fairly sure they've also got some sort of built in magic that makes dirt disappear when you dump it into them. Useful trick for getting rid of dirt, but Mrs T's going to be in trouble if she ever wants to grow anything in them.
Mrs T, by the way, has sensibly opted for bringing us cold drinks and making sure the children don't kill each other.
Mycroft and another boy and girl around his age helped with the digging and with filling the bottomless raised beds, and I have never seen Mycroft more covered in mud, not even when he and Sherlock went in the pond at the park. Like everyone else, he looks pretty happy about it.
I do hope there's a hose though. Otherwise we're all going to be arrested on the way home, on charges of being Indecently Filthy in Public and also Smelling Really Peculiar.
65 comments:
The school can buy some topsoil for the beds, if they want. Wouldn't be very expensive.
If it was possible to be arrested for being Indecently Filthy in Public I think we'd've been arrested a while ago ;)
I can't believe we've been digging for hours and we're not even halfway there!
I think we'd've been arrested a while ago
Ha, you would've anyway!
You know, if one was filled with sand, it might be fun for the little kids to play in. Assuming we have one left when we're done. I can't believe it either - and the hole still seems enormous.
Pot/kettle.
They could get some playpit sand, yeah.
Looking good, though. Few more days digging and then we'll be ready to line it. Depending how much help we can get, and how much time we can get down here, they'll have a nice pond and more frogs than they know what to do with next year.
Ha! Few things more deeply satisfying than digging a really big, muddy hole, right Mycroft?
I know it's not on, but I truly wish we could see a photo of the lot of you before the hosing off... *sighs*
I'm glad things are going well so far. I'm having a hard time imagining Mycroft not minding being completely filthy, though.
How much of a help (or hindrance) has Sherlock been?
Oh, and Sherlock--assuming you do get those carnivorous plants, I would be very, very interested to find out how they do, competing with the frogs for prey! I hope you keep careful records about how they are doing, keeping track of the plants' growth, the weather, and the number of frogs and tadpoles (or estimates as to that last, depending on how active they are), so that you can put together some charts at the end of the year, and see what affected the plants and what didn't.
I hate to doubt the motivations of the lovely ladies who came along to help you dig, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they're there for the eye candy.
There's something intensely satisfying about being covered in mud and getting something done. I'm glad that Mrs. T is there to provide refreshing beverages for you all.
I have a sneaking suspicion that they're there for the eye candy.
*nods and nudges Ria*
Although, there's always the getting covered in mud part!
*Nudges back, winks, ogles indiscreetly*
Afraid to tell you both we're all mud-free now. Even the dogs.
Although how that mud all got in my hair I'll never know. *cough* Danger *cough*.
Lawless - Sherlock was more an overseer. We're just lucky no one gave him a whip. And he played with the dogs once he was sure we were following orders.
And asked if we could bury a body in the raised beds, to watch decompose. Oddly enough, the answer was no. Don't need a body farm in the school playground.
Afraid to tell you both we're all mud-free now. Even the dogs.
Ah, well. Tomorrow is another day!
Tomorrow I hope to be mud free, given I'm at work!
Someone will have to be muddy, because that pond needs to get finished.
Naturally, if I didn't live an ocean away, I'd volunteer instantly. *whistles innocently*
(Your captcha is very suspicious. That is all.)
L - in your job, that's not exactly guaranteed....
RR - we might get over sometime in the week. Or next weekend. Kids aren't back until next Monday.
Danger - not quite, but I can hope!
You'll all get it done, one way or another. I have complete faith!
We will. We have to! Sherlock's a hard task master.
I'm in court Tuesday, so might get to leave at a decent time, put in a couple of hours digging.
Ha! It's good to be the king.
It seems to be. A crown would suit him. And a sceptre.
Well, he has the wings. He could always call himself Oberon.
Which one of us is Bottom (Is that even the same play? Is it a play? Suddenly I doubt my own possibly knowledge!)
(If it is, I think it's me ;) )
(And I think John is Puck to my Bottom...)
Yes, the same play. No, I don't think you'd be Bottom. I don't think Sherlock would want anyone else in his play. :D
(And I shall loftily ignore that last. No, I'm not giggling, why do you ask?)
I'm now trying to remember which one ends up with the asses' head.
Bottom.
That would be Bottom. A Bottom and an Ass.
John will be delighted to be Puck.
John will be delighted to be Puck
Ha. Best part in the play. I think Sherlock would make a better merry wanderer of the night than I would though.
And I think John is Puck to my Bottom...
0_0
(Absolutely not giggling here at all. Oh no)
RR, Nameless - Danger isn't giggling either. Or rolling his eyes. At all.
What, during this very serious discussion of literature? Of course I'm not...
We are very dignified.
(And I hope we don't sprain anything.)
If you do sprain something, I know a good Dcotor.
*snicker*
Nope, that wasn't me.
When I was a young Wanderer, I was Bottom in my elementary school's (obviously very abridged) version of that play! I got in soooooooooo much trouble for spraypainting the donkey's head costume on the back patio concrete. Left a reverse image of a donkey. Mother was less than impressed.
You people! I leave you alone for the 3-hour drive back to uni and you start desecrating Shakespeare without me.
(In your defense, Shakespeare was a dirty-minded old goat himself. He'd probably appreciate the sentiment)
Don't do that to me! My lungs can't handle that sort of laughter just yet!
Didn't need my brother to help me off the floor - where I actually did fall from laughing too hard - I must be on the way back to being myself again!
Also, you two can be as dirty as you like whenever you like <3 And share the tales amongst us readers if we're really lucky ;D
(Also, because I know you'll be up momentarily if you're not already, good morning Greg!
And John, I was thinking of titles for your book. You know, the one we all think you should write :D So far the best I've come up with is 'Curiosity: A Completely Fictionalised Account of a Superwoman, a DI, a pair of under-aged Geniuses, and their Nanny' :D )
Morning Tink. And Sherlock says good morning too. Although I'm trying to get him to go back to bed - it is school holidays, afterall!
DW - better than leaving a spray paint surround of an actual bottom though!
Good morning. Now go back to sleep, you're meant to be on holiday!
Sherlock, are there any quiet, non-apocalyptic activities you can do in your room for an hour or two so that John and Lestrade can have a bit of a lie-in?
Ah, sadly I'm not on holiday, I'm off to work in a minute.
Sherlock has agreed to go and read in his room, though, so John should get a bit more peace.
Even on a workday this is an ungodly hour to be awake, even if you are normally up at this time. How long is your commute with the motorcycle?
With locking and unlocking, just over 20mins. Leaving now so I'm there before the shift change at 7, so I know what they've been up to all night.
Blargh. I'd rather watch eye surgeries all day than have to be awake before 6:00 in the morning. I hope your day at work is more palatable than the aforementioned prospect. Have a nice ride to work.
I really don't think I'd mind watching eye surgery. Being squeamish doesn't get yu far in this job.
And I've been an early riser since I stopped being a teenager. So it doesn't bother me. Usually up between 5 and half past.
And if you get up late at the moment you miss some beautiful dawns.
Ride to work was good, thanks, not too cold today.
I suppose watching eye surgeries really wouldn't bother me all that much, now that I think about it. I do, however, have nightmares about being a short-order cook (I'm fine when I can cook on my own time, but give me a schedule and I turn into a madwoman).
Yeah, everyone's got their own circadian rhythms, I suppose (I say at 2:20 AM, dreading my 10:00 class and the hour of transcription I have to do before that).
...I do see the occasional sunrise on very late nights? That's probably not a good answer.
Ha, this job means you get used to being awake when you need to be and asleep when you can. I'm not good at coming off nightshift and sleeping though. I need to wind down, and tire myself out more. I go into that state when you're half asleep, half awake.
The point at which your body is saying "need to sleep" and the brain is still whirring away?
I'm one of those lucky people that can fall asleep anytime, anywhere. I've slept through thunderstorms, raves, drumming circles, Indian weddings happening directly outside my window, lion mating calls, and 16+ shots of espresso. Weirdly, I wake up when my cell phone vibrates.
SH - yeah, pretty much.
Ria - stress is pretty much the only thing that keeps me awake. A bit too much, sometimes.
(In your defense, Shakespeare was a dirty-minded old goat himself. He'd probably appreciate the sentiment)
In a class of thirty teenagers studying Romeo and Juliet (possibly the most boring play where everyone dies at the end ever written) I was the ONLY one to giggle at,
"My naked weapon is out."
Personally I think getting the naughty bits is appreciating Shakespeare to a higher degree.
I think we only did Midsummer Night's Dream at school. All I can remember is wanting to have sword fights.
Definitely wasn't interested in the girls, like half the boys were - all volunteering to be the romantic leads just to try and cop a feel.
A Midsummer Night's Dream does have more romantic leads than most, being about love run amok.
I don't sleep nearly enough during the week, and sleep like a log on Shabbat. I'm sure it's not healthy, but it is what it is.
How do you see sunrises at 6:30ish, Lestrade--have you already turned the clocks back in the UK? We haven't yet, and sunrise isn't until 7:15ish. I hate waking up in the dark.
Oh, sunrise isn't until about 7.15 here either. I generally see it from my office. But plenty of people aren't up by then.
I quite like getting up early when it is dark and the city is largely asleep. more peaceful that way. You can ease into the day.
You're completely mad, just so you know...
And I'm usually one of those slugabeds, being as I usually don't get to sleep til well after 1:00 am. But yeah, I guess most people are just getting up between 7:00 and 7:30, since most offices open at 9:00. (I work from home, it's all the same to me!)
Is that your official diagnosis, doc?
To be honest, I could happily get up later, but a certain curly haired alarm clock probably won't let that happen. I just got into the habit when staying in bed was distinctly less appealing than it is now, and I virtually lived at the yard anyway. Nights I spent there the cleaners would wake me about 5 anyway.
Absolutely. You're very good to get up and entertain him though and I'm grateful for it daily.
He entertains me. and I've trained him to grind the coffee.
Anyway, posted a picture of a sunrise from sometime last week on my blog. You lot get a lie in and a chance to see the beauty.
You spoil us. :) Thank you!
Truth is, even if I got up at 5-something, I wouldn't see sunrise unless I went up the block to a cross-street, and no guarantees then, either, what with all the apartment buildings and hills and bridges and traffic. All I can see from my apartment are the buildings across the street. So the photo is most appreciated!
Ria, you could be up at dawn and watching people watch eye surgery videos. That's what I've been up to lately. The surgeons love these videos. We have a hard time getting them to give up the computers so someone else can have a go. After a while you just get used to it, but the first year I worked this meeting I had a hard time with it.
I just started moving into my new house today. It's right on the bay right across from the Naval shipyard.
Here's a picture of the view:
http://tiny.cc/x8ntm
I'm really tempted to hang something from the seawall on the Army/Navy and Air Force/Navy football game days. :D
One of you three let me know if there's anything we need for dinner, will you? Anything you want.
My shift starts at 5:45, but since I work from home I usually just get up at 5:15. I'm not a morning person, though, and would much rather sleep until 8 or 9.
Still, it's nice to be able to watch the sun rise, and get off before 3.
DW: That looks gorgeous. If too close to the water for my sense of security XD Are you up at a base up north in VA or down south?
John: Just thought I'd say that you're made of awesome.
Sherlock: Good evening to you good sir! Are you enjoying yourself with your brother and the dogs home?
Mycroft: Glad to be home?
Greg: Just thinking about your busy day is making me tired...
Down south, Tink. This base is so strict I saw a squirrel using a crosswalk this morning.
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