Do you own a weedwacker? You know, you’d think that one of these contraptions would be a tremendous help in lawn care. While we are at it, I think that lawns in themselves are significant proof that man is FAR from being the most intelligent animal on this planet. It’s not enough that we all work 3 jobs, 999 hours a week and spend the time to and from these jobs shouting obcenities at others doing the same, from the comparative safety of our motorized deathmobiles. However, in order to allow us to relax when away from our jobs, we have decided to create a tradition which involves planting a non-native species of plant in a ground cover arrangement all about the perimiter of our property, and allowing said ground cover to mature into what we happily refer to as ” a carpet of despair”. Since this plant is hardy but not THAT hardy, and because of it’s great number of enemies and diseases, owning such a carpet allows us to perform, at regular intervals, the dreamy, restful activities of mowing, dethatching, de-grubbing, weed and feeding, trimming, patching, aerating, top-dressing, liming, mulching, bagging and rolling. We utilize mechanical and motorized tools to deal with the TLC that our green enemy requires, and yet they don’t really seem to save us any work. At best, the tools themselves become, rather than a means to an end, and end in themselves. And so here we go, back to the weedwacker.
You have to add oil to the gas. I mean really, you HAVE TO ADD OIL TO THE GAS! Does it get more messy and smelly? Ah, the fresh smell of cut grass…no, wait….it’s ON MY HANDS….oh, crap. It’ll never come off. Now I smell like, well….like….eh…….MONEY. Yes, folks, gas and oil are now more currency than the ol’ dollar. Last gas price? $2.69/gal. I HEARD YOU. You said “Hey, that’s down quite a bit. Good price”. ARE YOU INSANE? That’s just what the companies want you to think. Yeah, hey, let’s jack the price up on the FEAR of total destruction by the Katrina/Rita team……then, when we bring it down from “unreal” to just “insanely high”, they’ll say…”Hey, that’s down quite a bit. Good price”. DON’T SAY STUFF LIKE THAT.
Ok, ok, I’m better now. It’s September, and that means that it’s COLD here in Northern Michigan. I hate snow. I mean I REALLY HATE SNOW. It should never snow. Never.
The school year has started. The kids are in school, and of course, that means sports. Soccer, mostly. I love to watch them play…it’s just that it is always 2 playing simultaneously on opposite sides of the town. WHY IS THIS? I think someone is trying to annoy me.
My parents have gone to Europe. London, Paris and Italy. First time EVER. I am so glad they went, and they are so excited to go. More about their trip when they return.
Coffee Bulletin: I’m now trying a lot of new coffee from Sweet Maria’s. For the best in green coffee, and all coffee paraphenalia (however you spell it) look no further. Tom and Maria are the best. As are the Yellow Bourbon, Bugisu and Pacmaral.
Ok, yes MIKE, I’m going to get back to the portraits as soon as is practicable (FAA Speak). Congratulations to Mike Hyrman again, both for being represented by galleries and by getting to teach his very own WaterColor Portrait Class at the Traverse City Art Center. Well worth the time if you can make it, he’s a dedicated artist and teacher.
Pocket PC is my new thing. More later.
I gotta go and think of some more weed-wacker stuff.
T