Home > Living a Better LIFE > Archives > 2008 > July > 11 > Entry
A vacation - of a sort
Is a vacation a vacation when you work like a dog?
Believe it or not, I have to say yes. (Although I do have reservations.)
Preparing to start this year’s second week of vacation the minute I finish this blog, I know what is ahead. I’m all but praying that the week of yard work ahead will be relatively free of rain (at least during daylight hours) and free of pain (I already dread unloading that load of compost I picked up this morning). There’s a lot to do and not nearly enough time to do it all.
No. 1 on the hit parade is removing all those azaleas I planted in the spring of ‘07 and the drought killed in the summer of ‘07. There’s 43 of them dotting my backyard, each left there so I would not have to fill in all the holes I dug through the maze of pine tree roots only to dig another set of holes for this fall’s planting. On one hand, I dread this worse than Scrooge dreaded the Ghost of Christmas Present; it’s an unpleasant task that simply has to be done. The thing I like about it is that, come fall, I hope to have beds ready to go for planting new shrubs (though azaleas are certainly off the list of prospects).
There’s also lots of weeding to do. As soon as I get my plants in a bed, the weeds move in as well, making themselves perfectly at home. (Think of a college fraternity brother who shows up at your house for a weekend and then just can’t seem to leave.)
The gutters still need to be cleaned out.
Of course, there’s mowing to do, too, along with edging and then sweeping the driveway clear of the clippings the mower and Weed Eater throw that way.
There’s a stump or two that will have to come out, plus some pernicious ivy that has to be uprooted before it retakes a significant part of the backyard again.
Yes, it’s going to be a busy week. But I’m looking forward to it. Checking these projects off the to-do list will feel good. I’ll update the list right after I rub the BenGay on my back and arms.
I’ll let let you know how it all came out when I get back on July 22. In fact, I’m looking forward to getting back to the office so I can get a little rest. (Kidding, boss, just kidding!)
Have any ideas for what can replace those azaleas or other projects that may have been overlooked. Why not share them - Ross really doesn’t have enough to do - by commenting on this blog or e-mailing him at rchandler@coxnc.com.
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