Don't look now...

Rototilling Day 1, a photo by zostra on Flickr.

...it's starting to look like there might be a backyard in there after all. Spent the afternoon rototilling and weeding in the dirt patch out back. The soil looks better than expected after however-many years stuck under concrete. Still some serious clay to contend with, but that will happen. The stakes mark what will be a path, and the potted plants mark the other path. The old raised bed in the corner will eventually turn into a tiny patio.

Dad commented at one point that it might have been smarter to just rent a big rototiller instead of using his little one, but we managed. Well, Dad did most of the managing while I weeded. And weeded. And weeded. Got to use my favorite new tool, with the most unfortunate of names: the HoeDag. I'm in love with it. I just wish I didn't feel compelled to giggle like an idiot every time I say the name.