Paul’s big project this summer was a “pergola” or as some of us like to call it, an “arbor you can sit under.” He tells the story here, but here are the photos of the work on progress.

We sited it facing northeast, with the sun to our left, our guineas to our right and the Cedar River, in summer shielded by trees, in front.

Suzan took down the honey locusts Paul selected for how straight they looked, but Mother Nature doesn’t “do” straight so much with honey locusts, so building this pergola and living with it requires one part crooked eyesight and one part sense of humor. But it’s not going anywhere soon.

Paul then borrowed from a WWOOFer named John who build an arbor for us not far away, and used branches that will help support the grapevines now planted on both sides.

We’re already enjoying it. Just the right size for us and a friend or two, or a gin and tonic or two, depending on the day!

Read more on Paul’s post on the Soapbox!