Let’s just say that I am not a fan of yardwork. That’s an understatement; I despise yardwork. And since I hate it, I tend to let it go. Rather than be loathed by our neighbors, we usually employ the services of a yard mower, but this summer I endeavored to mow my own lawn, not so much to save money as to give me a trace amount of activity in my relatively physically inactive life. I work at a desk a lot, so I thought keeping up with the yard would be good for me, and I think it has been.

I also have a real problem watering the lawn. I just can’t see spending money on water in the middle of a drought to make more mowing for myself. This invariably leads to almost killing my entire lawn and flower beds, the latter of which we would not have if they had not already been here when we purchased our home. Earlier this week I noticed our cypress tree was beginnig to get a little brown, so I gave in and dragged out the sprinklers. Most evenings I have been giving the yard a little drink, and it is really looking better. I have also made sure to soak the flower beds, too. Everything is looking better, though not perfectly healthy yet.

As much as I have kept up with the yard this summer, I have neglected the flower beds. I have wanted to do some work to them (actually, I have wanted to hire some pros to come do some work to them) for some time, but never felt like I could justify the expense. Well, I don’t know what happened, but today I took a notion [Sidenote: I was going to say I took a wild hare, but I can't decide whether it's wild hare or wild hair, and I cannot locate guidance online. What's your opinion?], went to Atwood’s and got the supplies I needed, came home, and tackled the beds. I weeded them all. I removed the stupid evergreen spreaders that were in them. I cannot understand why someone would put a spreader in a flowerbed. They totally take over. I trimmed all the shrubs, holly bushes, the ornamental tree, the other bushes, and the two evergreen trees. I have never used hedge clippers before, and I have to say I am pretty pleased with my job. I tilled all the soil in the beds and removed the old leaves in them. I tied up the climbing rose bushes, one of which after I relocated it. Jeane helped me by keeping me hydrated and assisting to rake up all the refuse and limbs, and she put all the cute little figurines back where they should go.

All in all, it was a long, hot day of really hard work. And I am pleased with the finished product, but I did not enjoy doing it! I cannot believe some folks draw great enjoyment from gardening. It’s not supposed to be fun. It’s in the Bible; it is punishment, and–to me at least–it feels like it! But it’s done for now, and it looks pretty good, so I am happy. Plus, I am hoping the activity leads to a peaceful night of sleep tonight. I have been having trouble sleeping on Saturday nights before church Sunday mornings, so I thought some good hard work today would help that as well.

The tools are all put away, I am freshly showered, Jeane fed me an excellent supper, and I am a little better off for having shed a little sweat from my brow. But it’s still punishment.