Clearly a week for discussing stone work! I have to note here that the Procrastinator's book (yes, I'm still reading it, but took time off during my drive last week) was a help. I made a short mental list of the things I would need to do to take advantage of the dirt that the neighbors sent my way last month. It has been a number of stages, but it is moving along.

Berm (tires, dirt, compost, weeds). This photo was taken last year.

Wall, incomplete, I've begun filling dirt behind the lower stage.

Stone wall and stone house front for comparison I'm trying to put this together to mimic the pattern on the house.

The back three walls of the house is brick, and when I have the money I'll seal the brick and paint it a light neutral color that emphasizes the limestone front.

This morning I went out and shoveled some of the pile of dirt that came from the next door back yard with their new patio construction. This was what propelled me to do the job - I needed the dirt, but didn't want another pile of dirt in the front.

I'm going to put another row of rock on at least, after stepping and tamping down the dirt in back. The wall isn't meant to be self supporting, though I am building it to stand on its own. I want it to be able to slow down a vehicle if it comes flying down the street that intersects with my yard at this point. I'm not making this taller than about 3 feet, and I plan to build a level top so I can sit or put pots on it.

SRS