I've made huge progress with the hole in the backyard.

[conuly]

I've dug up so many rocks, bricks, and boulders that once I fill it in I suspect the ground level will be a couple of feet lower than it was. Also, the bees (which were solitary ones, as I suspected!) have not stung me once. Probably because every time I see one I lob it to the left, toss some dirt back over it, and dart into the house for several minutes, but whatever. I'm not scared of bees. Not much, anyway.

But now I have a problem. I've come to a slab that is so far down, I have no leverage. I think I'll end up expanding the hole somewhat so I can get in at a better angle, but is there another way? I'm running out of space to put the dirt!