Making Mole Hills out of Mountains
Last weekend’s to-do list began as a full page in a steno notebook. By the end of the weekend, not one thing was crossed off.
That doesn’t mean nothing got done.
Ever since that first 70-degree day way back in January, Scott has continued to point out the obvious to me: “You should cut down those trees.” “You really need to clear some of that brush.” “You should power wash the house.” “What the heck is that mountain of debris over there next to the barn?” “Where in the world did all these rocks come from?” On and on. “If I were you, I would do this....” “This place would look so much nicer if…” This and that and another thing.
It used to piss me off.
“Do you really think I don’t know these things?” I would growl. “You have no idea what this place looked like last spring.” “Do you have any idea how many hours I’ve put in to get it to look this good?” “Do you think I enjoy being surrounded by my surroundings, such as they are?” And I’ve informed him – regularly ever since – that he should feel free to have at it. I said, “You (I) could work on this place 24-7 for the entire summer and it still wouldn’t be done.”
I guess he took that as a challenge.
< BEFORE & AFTER PICS >
Two days, a backyard bonfire for Easter weekend. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t do this if I was living in an apartment in the city. Of course, if I was living in an apartment in the city, I wouldn’t have these projects to begin with, but it was a most enjoyable and truly satisfying way to spend a weekend. And now my place actually has curb appeal.
Trees cut down. Brush removed and hauled, creating two mountainous piles for the city to pick up. Rocks/boulders – dozens of them – dug and artistically relocated. Debris (the demolished trailer and a lot of other stuff) relocated an armful at a time and burned. Vines as strong as rope, ripped from the ground, ripping holes in gloves and hands along the way. All of this, without anything more than a shovel, a rake and a pair of loppers – the few tools I didn’t sell. Oh, and blood, sweat and beers. And the lawn got mowed, after I bought a used lawnmower at a flea market on Saturday and then had to have my neighbor repair – twice.
And that doesn’t even include all the walls Scott’s painted, the home repairs he’s made. And he cleans my house every single Monday and does my laundry every week. He’s very handy to have around for tick removal, too.
And he does it all with a smile and a kiss. For beer, for food, for my companionship and a kiss. And then he thanks me for everything I’ve done for him.
I’m pretty sure he’s from another planet.