Welcome, Spring (I think...)

 

Blog 04_15_2026

Ah, Spring! And my first lawn mowing of the season. Yay.

I loaded gas into the push mower, yanked the start cord, and it started right up on the first yank! It was a bit more enthusiastic than I was about the chore. But it’s done now.

And then, there’s the backyard. Naughty words go here. Lots of them. If we ever get out of here, one of the big things I’m going to require for the next place we get is: NO #$%%^$ big damn trees surrounding the house! None. Nein. Nyet. Uh-uh.

Look, I like trees as much as anyone. But I am sick and tired of the kind of crap I’ve had to deal with here. To wit: 

Piles of sticks / branches. EVERYWHERE..

 

 ..And leaves. By the trillions. Or at least millions..🤔

 

Looking east towards my neighbor's yard

 

Every freaking square foot - covered..

North-east corner of the backyard, with burn pit at left. It will soon be busy.

Leaves covering stairs on East side of house.
 

Southeast corner of front yard. More damn leaves.

 

 This massive cleanup of raw lumber and TONS of leaves in virtually every square foot of this backyard has been a Spring ritual for the last 23 or so years we’ve lived here. And with 77 birthdays behind me, I seem to have lost a lot of my endurance somewhere along the way.

So…. Anyone out there want to spend a day playing pick-up-sticks with me? Don’t everyone jump at once.

Anyway…

I may be calling Ryan Lawn & Tree about the big tree closest to the house (below). It’s not looking terribly well. All the other trees are starting to bloom with the little leaf-pods and blossoms, but nothing with this closest tree. 

  

We had a smaller dead tree taken out a couple years ago and ran us about $1400.00. I hate to think what this big one would set us back.

Anyhoo… Hope you all are having a good Spring. Jo is doing better with her right ankle. She can now put her full weight on it for short periods, and she’s now getting around with her dad’s walker most of the time.

Until next time.....

Rod