today was not much in the garden day so far, as i had to finish up building the stairs. i had most of it done yesterday, but needed to get the railing height and angles figured out and i had to have Mom around so she could say if the railing was too tall or short. without a good miter box or saw and just using the power saw it was a bit of fun, but i was able to get the angle adjusted well enough. i'll caulk it once i know we're inside for the day so it can set up overnight. then Mom can paint it.
she's only wanted me to do this for a year now, but winter is just not a good time to be doing any sawing outside. the existing step was able to be shortened and used for the first step and then i added a second step behind it and a railing to grab onto if needed.
finished up just in time with the rains starting up again. it was snow pellets for a bit.
this morning scared the crap out of the groundhog.

it was actually on this side of the fence for a change and so i popped it with the air rifle. should have seen it run into the fence and then trying to get out. unfortunately the fence back there isn't complete yet so it could go around the south edge to get away, but in the scramble it wasn't able to use all the other places i have been plugging up...