To dig a post hole, you need this.
And it’s nice to have this…though many a post hole has been dug on this ranch without it.
It also helps if you have some able-bodied kids…
And it helps if you have muscles.
Before digging the post holes, they have to decide precisely where the post holes need to go.
So they use string…
And stretch it…
And line it up so that it’s straight.
Stretch…
Measure…
Stick a marker in the exact spot…and spray some paint!
This is the only scenario on earth that would involve my son being handed a can of spray paint.
Next, it’s time to dig! I call this a skidster, because that’s what I thought Marlboro Man called it back when we were dating and I didn’t have love handles. But in fact, he called it a skid-steer, which is what it is.
I also thought a brush hog was called a bush pig for several years there…so remember not to rely on me for correct terminology relating to farm equipment.
So Marlboro Man pulls right up to the marker, then hops out…
So he can line up the auger to go in the right spot.
Then Marlboro Man shows the boys how to make sure the auger is straight.
Okay, fast forward because my girl put the camera down in order to help with the first post hole. This is the second post hole, and my nephew is guiding the auger into the hole.
It’s like Apollo 13 when Jack does the whole hard dock trick.
“Capture.”
Then the digging begins, and as the auger bores its way into the hole, the kids clear away the big clods of dirt.
My baby likes that leveling job.
Such a great visual for life, isn’t it? If the bubble starts to get off track, just make a few adjustments and your post hole will be straight again.
Wait…what?
That there auger’s deep in the dirt!
And watch…this is my favorite part.
All the dirt shakes off!
And look at that beautiful hole. It kind of freaks me out, though. I’ve learned that depth, in general, freaks me out. Deep ocean, deep holes in the earth, deep space.
You feel that way too, right?
Right?
Ahem.
(Photos by Paigie Girl.)