Work / Rest

Thank goodnes I get to go back to work today. I need the rest. The weekend was about to kill me. I am not as sore as I had anticipated and my back is OK, so maybe I've still got it. I have some of it at least. It was back to winter for us this AM. The morning run was in 45 degrees. Chilly, but doable.



It is funny about putting bags of leaves on the street. They vanish. People pick them up and use them as mulch at their house. If I could only get them to rake them up too.



Speaking of work, I had better get myself ready for it.



Have a nice Monday.



Until the next time

John Strain

Mission Complete

That was a job. Ripping out the old bushes was nothing compared to digging seven holes. The holes have to be twice as wide as the plant and half again as deep. That works out to a pretty big hole. I am glad that is done. After I post this, I am heading for my beer.























Two views of the new hedge.



Now where's that beer?



Until the next time

John Strain

Step One of My Plan Is Complete

The red tops fought valiantly, but in the end I prevailed. I was bloodied, note the broken shovel. I will probably walk around like a question mark tomorrow, guessing my back will be protesting by then.









Now I have to prepare the holes for the sweet olives I am going to plant in the place of the red tops.







I thought you would like to see a picture of my tool. This baby is the root master. Without my tool, I never would have extricated the red tops. Talk about feeling like a man, when I picked this up in Home Depot and walked to the checkout, I could feel the testosterone level spike in my body. The level kept rising as I walked through the parking lot. Yeah, I am a man with an ax, and I will use it. I dare you to give me some shit. A good thing I had the ax, because I broke my shovel after about 5 minutes of work. It snapped like a thong on Mama Cass.



OK, break is over, back to the planting.



Until the next time

John Strain

Make Straight the Path

My sister Becky is going to be 50 years old on the 27th. She will be arriving here Friday with her entourage for a full weekend of proper celebration. Therefore, I have been getting the yard in shape. Barbara has been getting the house in order. It is always good having company, if for no other reason, to get your place spiffed up.



Now I am going to tackle the sweet olive project. Photos to follow. My reward tonight, besides the beer, will be episode three of the Sopranos.



Please enjoy your Sunday



Until the next time

John Strain

41 Bags of Leaves Later

8 hours of work, 2 Bud Lights, I need a shower, and I am ready to go get something to eat. Beer tastes so much better after a day of yard work. Tomorrow, I am going to rip out some red top shrubs by their little roots. Muahahahahah. They are going to die. Then I will plant in their place seven sweet olive shrubs. Have you ever smelled a sweet olive? Ahhhhhhhhh. Now I can smell them all the time.



Here's to hoping I won't be too sore tomorrow.



Until the next time

John Strain