what???

What's this?! Snow?! Barely, but still! No, it can't be. I specifically remember knowing that I was through with the snow for this season. It's time to tune up the lawn mower and sharpen the blades. We had a day that was in the 60's, and everything!

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Perhaps it is manna. Yeah, let's go with that.

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I just had a thought about cold weather... Suppose it was zero degrees today, and they said it was going to be twice as cold tomorrow... what would that temperature be?

hanging on

I hope I don't have to pick up too many more leaves around here. Oh, there are a few stubborn remants in my neighbor's Maple, but I expect they'll drop before very long. Instead of raking the leaves off the lawn, I like going over them with my mulching mower. It bags them at once, so I think it's much neater and less exhausting than using the rake. It is the best way to gather the leaves from my tree, because the Craver house inherited a Honey Locust with lots of wee-little leaves.

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I over-seeded a couple months ago, so the lawn was nice and thick. It was springy underfoot--just the way I like it. It was relatively warm and sunny with blue skies. What a great day to be outside!!

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I had help from a ladybug. I wasn't sure what it was doing, but I never turn down an offer of assistance with yard work. It was a funny little thing with dimpled armor. It looks like the right wing got smooshed in. (You may have to click on the image to see it clearly.)

forced rest

[click on image to embiggen]

It is not easy to keep a nice lawn in front of the house, but I love doing it. Yesterday, the doctor expressly forbade me from mowing the lawn. He smiled, like he thought he was doing me a favor. There are times when we all must accept help, but I really enjoy taking care of the front lawn myself. There is a sense of accomplishment, when I see that the grass is happy and has straight edges. Some you will get it, but most people think I'm weird... that's okay.

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This week, I will need to trust someone else to cut the grass for me. He will probably not cut it diagonally, the way I like it. I alternate angles between mowings. He will probably not take extra care around the edges, and there will likely be scalpings along the mulched edges. (wince) Sometimes, when I ask my kids to cut the grass for me, it does not get done on the same day. If so, I must wait. I hate taking too long between mowings.

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Thanks for letting me vent. (sigh) I need to think about something else. Who knew that resting can be such hard work?!

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Btw, that dandelion shot was done with a macro setting, using flash and a polarizing filter, in case anyone wanted to know.

spring has sprung

Sprung indeed! What's this?! That tiny purple and gold indicator is an alarm of sorts. It's all I can do to walk away and not step on it. Why? It is an ominous warning of the impossible demands on my time over the next few weeks. I need to ...

*get the lawn equipment ready for action, sharpen blades, check the motors, search for those gloves again,

*groom the dog

*fix & lube all the bikes

*move winter stuff into storage

*begin repairs outside the house, especially the garage (grrrr)

*cultivate the soil for my wife's garden

*hack down a million weeds

*plant new grass seed

*play frisbee, catch and soccer with the kids

*fix the grill

*renew my fishing license, etc.

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Clearly, I don't have enough time for all of this! I'll need to prioritize. Play with the kids, do some grilling and fishing. I'll try to get everything else done, but first-things-first.

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Yeah, I hear what you're thinking... I better make sure my wife's garden is a priority. Thanks.

morning dew

Immediately after rolling out of the sack on Saturday morning, I opened our front door and was greeted by eutopian weather. Not too hot, not too cold. It rained overnight. A mild breeze pushed it's way through the screen. I filled my lungs with a long draw or two of the morning's perfect air. Aaaah...

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There was a soggy newspaper smack-dab in the middle of the driveway. Hmmm, that would be the spanish one that I never read. It usually has a tacky hoochie-momma on the front cover. No thanks; I'll take it to the recycling bin right away.

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Normally, I don't go anywhere without socks and shoes, but right now, I'll fetch the newspaper just as I am. Bedhead, pj's (shorts) and I probably have crusty eyes, but who cares. Tiptoeing slowly, I feel every little twig and pebble under my sensitive city-boy feet. I'm sure I look ridiculous, but nobody's out to take notice.

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Yup. I was right, and the newspaper is thoroughly drenched! It's remarkably heavy for it's size. That's all the water of course. Next, I yank the few sprouts emerging from the roots of our honey locust. Man, these weeds don't ever quit! The lawn needs cutting, but right now, I just enjoy the cool wetness of the incredibly soft, fine fescue. It will be pure pleasure as long as I watch where I step, because my eyes spy some robust thistle, waiting for an ambush. Not today Spike, I see you!

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I take a moment to remember those who I said I would pray for. It appears that the flowers this morning shed tears of sympathy. The tears of my friends are real. God knows their need and I trust Him, however He chooses to answer.

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The wet grass and gentle breeze was nice, but as I wipe my feet inside the front door I notice someone is toasting cinnamon bread. That's worthy of another deep breath!

Sky Watch Friday!

a cut above

The distant sound of a lawnmower can be heard over the soccer fields. What?... Over the soccer fields?!! Yes, that's right, "over," as in "above!" It sounded like a lawn mower engine buzzing around up there, somewhere.

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There is an airport close by, and we frequently see small aircraft flying overhead. They are always interesting to watch, but this one was moving much slower than the others, and sounded different. If you look closely, you will see that there are TWO people up there, and they have nothing to shield them from wind, bugs, birds, high-flying soccer balls or alien space craft. (sigh) What a thrill that must be!

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What... no bag for the air clippings?

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Visit Tom to enter this week's Sky Watch Friday.

dandelawns

Several people have posted pictures of dandelions. This is how I like to see them. I'm having a problem with clovers, too. I wish so badly that I could just start all over, because that is the only way I can possibly win the battle this year!

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But do you know what? I haven't mowed my lawn yet. Shame on me! I raked, overseeded, pulled weeds, sharpened the mower blade, but no cut yet. I hope I can do it Friday night.

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Part of my excuse is soccer... which I L.O.V.E!! We have soccer practice two nights a week and games on Saturdays, and that little bit, combined with the one-car-family downgrade, and a new school schedule for one of the kids, etc., I barely have time to sneeze, let alone groom the front lawn! My only solace in this hectic rat-race is tearing these nasty, evil weeds out of the earth.

fine fescue

Hooray, it's raining!!!

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The 2008 lawn care season has officially begun. The hedges were trimmed, and the front lawn overseeded with Tall Fescue.

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Warning: If you do not care about lawns and grasses, today's post will be dangerously boring!

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The most common seed blends around here consist of Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass and Ryegrass. My favorite is Creeping Red, but most packages that have this seed are blended with one or more Ryegrasses. I do not like Ryegrasses. They grow in clumps; they're difficult to rake over, ...and personally, I think they're not too distant a cousin of Crabgrass, which is a weed.

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Bluegrass is very nice, but it has a wide blade. Fescue has very thin blades. Walking barefoot on well-groomed fine Fescue is an euphoric experience, which I highly recommend.

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My point is, the more of the good stuff you put in, the less room there is for other things to grow... like clovers, thistle and dandelions (grrrrr).

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But there are other benefits to good lawn care. It is good exercise, and a great way to chat with the neighbors. And since I intend to be a positive contribution to my community, the same rule applies. The more good stuff we sow, the better results we are likely to see on our streets. And less things like litter, rudeness, etc.

agua fresca

Dihydrogen Monoxide. When you look at all the problems (including fatalities) related to it, who would want to create such a potent chemical compound? Let's recap, shall we?

• You can find it in acid rain.
• Scientists use it in animal research.
• Athletes use it to enhance performance. And...
• Now I hear that big food companies are putting this stuff in baby food, too!!

This dangerous chemical compound is more commonly know as H₂0. That´s right... water. It´s all true. Think about it.

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The first time I came across this information, I was watching a bright, young, college "activist- type" gal with a clipboard collecting signatures to ban all use of dihydrogen monoxide. She got lots of signatures. Was it all a joke? I don´t think so.

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I think the people behind DHMO.org are trying to make a point. Just because something has a chemical name, doesn´t mean it is bad. Even if it has lethal potential, that does not necessarily make it bad.

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I got to thinking about this when we were talking about how much I hate dandelions. Herbicides (and especially pesticides) have important information on their warning labels, and these things should be taken into consideration BEFORE purchasing or using them. If I put this stuff on my lawn, what would happen if people walk on it? If it is dangerous to mammals, could it be contained or might it be spread by dogs, squirrels, or birds? If I have anything left over, how could I dispose of it? Do I need to wear gloves? Get the picture?

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I will not take a stand against the use of chemicals. But whether you´re trying to grow healthier flowers or get rid of ants, you gotta read the warning labels.

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Because anything ...EVEN WATER... can be dangerous when it is out of control or misused.