Our somewhat less beautiful backyard after septic tank installation:
Doesn't this seem like a lot-- a lot-- of devastation just so two people can take a shit that's up to code with the Geauga County health department?
So now Ben and I are trying to rake this mess out so we can spread grass seed before winter-- to be fair, this shot is obviously from before the project was fully complete, but there's still a lot of raking to be done. And it's not fun, cozy, "whee, I'm raking leaves so I can jump in them while wearing a cozy knit sweater!" raking. It's backbreaking Grapes of Wrath raking.
But still, nothing is without its upside. For instance:
1. We were able to use every dollar that the previous owners escrowed us for this illustrious project, thus ensuring that they would not get one cent of their bitterly complained over money back.
2. This project was chiefly overseen by an Amish guy, which allowed me to engage in one of my favorite pastimes, which happens to be gawking at the Amish.
3. Once we get the grass seed down and the hay spread, it will be technically impossible to rake when the leaves fall!
4. All this raking is making me buff and sexy, albeit in more of a female bodybuilder way than an Anna Kournikova way.
So thanks for the escrow money, former owners! Please take comfort in the fact that although your $17,000 is now firmly buried in our backyard, we can now crap without fear of reprisal from the local government.
5 pipers piping:
Did the Amish guy drive the Bobcat as seen in the picture? If so, I'm telling on him...
Dude, he not only drove the Bobcat, he HAD HIS OWN CELL PHONE. He was one hep Amish dude.
He must have been on Rumspringa!
The before and after pictures make me sad, and yet I hope for a follow-up picture in the spring, to assure us that the former charm of your yard has been restored, along with bringing your poop up to code.
As the reader with the unquestioned most experience with Amish (my brothers and I was babysat by an Amish girl), I will now dispell two popular Amish myths:
1) They don't drive -- Actually they do, so long as it isn't actually getting them anywhere. Hence, some orders can use tractors and such if it is assisting in their work.
2) They don't use our wonderful new technologies -- Especially when it comes to business ventures, Amish frequently use cell phones, computers and more.
Of course, in both cases, this involves newer order Amish. The old order are still pretty hard core, but there aren't that many around anymore.
I'll further add to your Amish knowledge!
The amish society is self aware and meticulously constructed. Almost all of stems from a single line in the bible that states that the "believers shall separate themselves from the non-believers."
So that means no telephone in the house, no electricity, because the wires connect them to the non-believers. However, a cell phone can be viewed as not so bad, because there's no physical connection.
The clothes and everything else they choose to do is all in a very deliberate attempt to keep themselves separate from us.
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