Watching Grass Grow . . .

The three-day weekend was lovely!  Hope yours was too.  Our young and very lively granddaughters were here yesterday, and OH how I wish I could harness some of their energy!  With the book now done, (a heartfelt 'thank you' btw, for those sweet comments and emails), I've wandered back outside into the garden after a few seasons of sitting, and I could use a power boost.  [She says, slowly hobbling . . . after days of digging weeds.] 

A new front lawn is springing up NOW and I'm as jumpy as a grasshopper.  Deer have already trod across it leaving holes where their hooves have sunk into the soft top-soil layer, and any minute rabbits are going to discover the tender shoots.  I just know it.  I'm peering out the window every five seconds watching for trouble makers!  (Where is Mr. McGregor and his wild rake-waving antics when you need him?)

This is, I think, our third try at getting a decent lawn going--having initially reduced the original lawn (which had gone to weed), by half in order to conserve water and reduce maintenance.  The roses are somehow surviving, after excessive rain earlier this year washed away the magic concoction (DEER REPELLENT) and they all got munched--badly.  So heartbreaking, I tell ya. They're recovering nicely now, but only because I added a tiny squirt of  THAI and TRUE Sarachee Hot Sauce  to the recipe. 

 

   What can I say, I'm nefariously wicked when it comes to my roses.

Finding the right team of "professionals" has also been something of a challenge living in a smallish town.  We've lived here over 16 years, but still it remains a mystery how to find the right people to get things done.  If you've ever read the Peter Mayle books recalling his experiences in Provence trying to get serious work done, it's that.  Exactly that.  And sometimes more so.  When I read those books, years ago, I was living in California where you could get anyone to do anything, usually the same day, and at a reasonable price. I really couldn't relate to any other situation and thought those stories of village workers were hilarious and rather charming.  But.  Now I get it. One must simply find humor in the situation or one will simply go mAD.

What we've learned now is that there's a small window of opportunity to seed a lawn--particularly here in the northwest, and we've missed it two years running.  In California you have sod delivered, but it's not easily available or possible here, we were told.  This year though, we were on it, and made the arrangements back in February--plenty of time, we thought.  But due to weather issues the crew didn't actually arrive until the end of June; which was just last week by the way, and now I've just heard news that very hot weather is blowing in.  

My sinus headache confirms it. 

OK.  I may not be able to do anything about the oil "spill", or the countless atrocities happening daily around the globe, but I can keep my lawn guarded and damp until danger passes.  That I can do.  Though I shall continue to pray about the other things and offer my support to worthy organizations whenever I can.  (The Audubon Nature Instituteis making a tremendous effort in coordinating marine animal rescue in the Gulf right now, if you want to help too, you can learn more about it here.)

OK then.  Duty calls.  Back to watching grass grow.  

Comments

[Samantha Martz]

A lovely front yard.

[Jenny Wren's]

Your yard looks just beautiful. I would join you there for a glass of sweet tea and we could just smell the roses! I share your critter passion. However, mine seem to be snails and slugs, they are eating everything, I have taken to beer and eggshells-for the snails, of course,not for me:)Can't wait for the new book!

[Bridgette]

I agree, we need to do what we can but focus on our own back door.

My brother has gone to work on the spill, he is a marine specialist and reports that it is devastating:(

But, your lawn looks lovely and if you keep your secret weapon on hand it should be beautifuln no time!

[Karen]

The pictures are lovely. I know what you mean about the professionals - we have a lake home in a vacation community. The work force is on "lake time." If its deer or turkey season or the fish are biting, forget it. I laughed til it hurt once when I saw an ad on the bulletin board in the grocery store. In huge letters across the top it read 'WE SHOW UP!' I guess it didn't matter what sort of work they did, one would hire them just because they SHOWED UP. Anyway, we have decided not to be frustrated; it's part of the charm of the place and we rather enjoy being on "lake time" ourselves.

REPLY: Karen, that's pretty funny!

Our "wake-up call" happened shortly after we moved in. All the phone lines went down in our neighborhood, hours went by with nothing happening, so eventually we called the phone company from a friend's house and were told, "they are all down at the RODEO, call back tomorrow." This was before everyone had cell phones and email.

I've come to accept the way things are, but sometimes, it is frustrating. Hearing your story gives validation to my feelings, which I admit, seem petty sometimes in view of the bigger problems out there, but we have to laugh about it sometimes. Thanks for the chuckle! ~Vicki

[Lena]

Your roses are very pretty Vicki, and the new hardscape is stunning. I've been immersed in garden books lately, thinking that it is time for some large changes. Nothing on such a grand scale as yours, but you've certainly inspired me.

It's hard not to want to make a difference in the world, especially when so many sad things are happening all at once. I know that taking care of one's own family, home and community do make the world a better place, and I'm grateful for all that I have, and for all the ways in which I can try to make things better for others. My ways seem small sometimes in a world that sometimes overwhelms us, but I know that I'm not the only one, and many small efforts, do add up. Thank goodness for those people that can go beyond and think larger in the grand scheme of things. Recently, I watched an interview with Bill and Melinda Gates, and Warren Buffet on the ways they are giving back their wealth to make a difference, and their example is inspiring others to think about how much is enough and now others are giving more. That is the kind of thinking that will change the world. We can all do more, I think, even if in small ways. Making this link known is one of those ways. I appreciate it, thank you.

[Kate]

your yard is always so beautiful! Very inspiring! Love to see the wildlife too!