Erosion Control Measures Taken

 All of the bare dirt has been seeded with annual rye grass seed, and we sprayed straw on top of that.

 We should have minimal outside work to be done in the winter (unless the stucco guys get here).

We will be getting some mulch and putting it on bare relatively level parts where vehicles will perhaps drive near the house.

 Two other outside projects may need to get done as weather permits:  the pump house and the house earth tubes.

We were inside the house, on separate occasions, and we later remarked to each other how warm if felt.  Our min/max thermometer read of minimum of 68 F and a maximum of 78 F.

 We did see some turkeys out today near the house and Bill remarked that they were probably scratching in the straw.

 

Getting the Exterior Ready for The Winter Season

Bill, Carol, Kim and Danny worked Thursday (26 Sep) on installing the umbrella in front of the garage.   
Why?
The garage wall will absorb the heat from the sun - even with it's insulation.  It will penetrate into the structure, heat up the interior and radiate thru the inner walls into the earth (no insulation there). The purpose of the umbrella is to prevent moisture from penetrating our heat-sync under the garage and its perimeter (and over the garage, when we install that bigger umbrella in the spring).  Water will take away any heat that would be stored there.  So, this umbrella extends the footprint of the garage another 12 feet to the South.  
How was it installed?
Danny took away about 16 inches of dirt, tapering it about 1 inch every 4 feet.  We laid down 6 mil polyethylene sheeting, blueboard insulation, and another layer of 6 mil polyethylene sheeting.  There was some pea gravel on the side ditches (east and west) and at the outer edge (south) between the plastic sheeting.  Then Danny covered it all with dirt to within 4 inches of the finish grade.  
It doesn't look any different, but hopefully will make a lot of difference in the interior climate of the garage, and the house when we get to that project.