You'd never be able to dig a hole around here with just a pointy shovel. Have to use a pick at least, and a good mattock is just right for squarin' the hole up and choppin' through tree roots. All in all, havin' a buddy with a backhoe seems like the simpler solution to me.
I'm never more than a few steps away from a firearm, even when I'm in the shower. I make it a point to put the house gun (Springfield 1911-A1 in stainless) and a cell phone on the shelf by the sink while I'm in there. I seen that shower scene in Psycho, and they ain't a gonna git me while I'm wet and nekkid*.
(*Not responsible for lost sleep, nightmares, or heebie jeebies caused by this mental image.)