Anyway, I can't escape their scent. Just outside our front door are two very large gardenias each covered in blooms. I spent all of yesterday in the yard hard at work with the mower, shears, trimmer and blower, and the scent of gardenias. Kind of pleasant but after hours of constant exposure I sometimes felt the need of a huge shot of insulin.
As soon as the flowers fade and drop I'll take a pruner and give them a good haircut. I'm sick of sweet.
*****
My yard has gotten ahead of me. Overgrown in places with shrubs badly in need of attention. I've spent most of my free time, this last week, in a vain attempt at 'catch-up.' Perhaps you've noticed since I haven't flipped the lid on this laptop in several days.
There comes a time in every mans life when his limitations reach around and slap him squarely in the face, and mine stings. As much as I hate to admit it I must seek help. We had a long talk yesterday and have agreed to hire a yard service. It shames me. I'm still a fairly young man but life and old injuries have finally reached over and taken quite a good grip on my stamina. Sweet Wife said I should take a break. I guess my aches and pains were readily apparent last night.
I work six days a week, and if I'm lucky if I get half a day off on Sunday. As I type I think about the work that awaits. My leaves have gathered on my roof and the gutters need to be cleaned. The herb garden is kaput. I should replant. I've projects left unfinished. Yet, here I sit.
Sometime today I expect a young couple to call for an appointment. I'll walk them around our fairly large yard and ask their price and hopefully agree on a once a week service. It's an embarrassment I shall endure. I'll make no excuses, but the shame of failure, my physical limitations, will ride in my throat like a hard ball of ice.
My friend, Senior, just sent a text. A picture of a pan filled with bacon. He asked if I wanted a bite. I haven't as yet answered.
*****
Later,
Stephen
Dearest Stephen, when I bought this house in 1978, my father gave me just one piece of advise. "You'll never get done, you just quit." Sadly, it has proven to be oh so true. Take comfort in knowing....you are not alone.
ReplyDeleteYour father was a wise man. I so understand. Thanks, Sweet Sharon.
DeleteYes, and I am blessed to still have him. He'll be 95 in July. Stopped over this afternoon and he was mowing his yard on his zero-turn Toro. But, I have to also say, Mom was even wiser and was such a great judge of character. Lost her 15 years ago last week.
DeleteI've got basil, dill, thyme & parsley that needs a home. That is, if they are still alive when we get back home tomorrow. Interested?
ReplyDeleteSweet Lady, hopefully the local nursery will be open tomorrow. If not, I shall try and at least get my hoard of large clay pots ready. Thank you for the kind offer but I'm afraid the herbs would be a waste. I'll wait and find a few plants soon....maybe even see if your hated Turner's has a few. Thanks, my lovely friend.
DeleteBe grateful you can afford to hire it done. Your reward for years of hard work to get to this point. Whoever you hire will probably need the money. Enjoy your properly maintained place, and take satisfaction your past successes allow others to put food on their table.
ReplyDeleteMy friend, I am indeed grateful. Still I hate to spend the funds. You did make a great point in that I picked the young couple (yes, we hired them) for the very reason you suggested. They need the work. Take care, and thanks.
DeleteI can no longer do the yard work, at least not until I have surgery. It galls me too, and I cannot afford to have it done!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Linda. Though I can afford it I still hate to spend good money for my lack of time and quickly fading effort.
DeleteKnow what you mean, Stephen. I am 68 and Hubby is 72. When we moved up here we had more than enough energy to fix this place up. Neighbors were amazed at what we accomplished! But, like you, injuries have taken their toll. I can't do half the stuff I could do only four years ago. My garden is not planted, the coop needs a power wash and a painting, my roses need some tlc and my ironing pile is getting higher.
ReplyDeleteI'll get it all done tomorrow.....
Sweet Lady, I understand. I've lived with a slight limp for over forty years. When I exert myself like yesterday it shows with every step for at least two days afterwards. Each step is a reminder my youth has passed into the mist. Although I younger than you (not by much, I might add) this still hurts my manhood. Thanks, Sweet One.
DeleteI never could get used to the overpowering scent of gardenias, just too sweet. Worse, in high school we had a chick who wore gardenia perfume, and the bus trip home was 45 minutes long. Gah.
ReplyDeleteI was raised in Florida, we had citrus in the yard, mature trees, so we had orange blossoms, which were a wonderful scent. When I lived in Spain the house next to ours raised night-blooming jasmine, and never have I smelled so wonderful a flower. If you can find some at a local nursery, by all means plant some, especially near an outdoor patio/deck area where you can enjoy it in the evenings.
Bob, my friend, I too was jerked up in Florida. Our home was located within steps of two large citrus groves...and like you, as a child I'd raise the old windows and sleep cuddled within the precious scent of orange blossoms. Just this week I removed a very large Sago palm and want very much to replace it with a small citrus tree. I have resistance...she wants flowers. We'll see which way the ball bounces. Thanks, and take care.
DeleteNo shame in it... not one little smidgen. I understand the feeling, though. Happens to us all and its worse for those used to just hammering down and getting stuff done. People used to giving up don't suffer the pangs like we do.
ReplyDeleteYou indeed understand....I'm used to hammering down when needed. But, the last two years has taken a toll on my body and mind. I just can't work as hard and as long as I'd like and it shames the hell out of me. To think I'd need to sit and rest after only a couple of hours, and sometimes, minutes of work. Makes me want to find a corner and curl into a ball. But, God didn't say life would be a cakewalk. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteThank you for sharing the flowers. I like a light scents so most of my front yard is less fragrant ones, still they are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe day of remembrance tomorrow.
Thank you, Sweet Brigid....I imagine when you walk you trail a sweet scent of loveliness.
DeleteHire someone to take it to the bare minimum, or buy some good herbicide. It's amazing what a few sprays during the season does to prevent backbreaking labor.
ReplyDeleteJess, trust me, Roundup has crossed my mind. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteNo shame in accepting help with the yard work. Think of it as freeing up that time to work on other things ...
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, I can't remember a time when I didn't want bacon. :)
Exactly what she said....and then pointed to certain jobs she wants completed about the house. Bacon rules. Thank you my good friend.
DeleteConcur with Rev, we're NOT 21 anymore and the damage is catching up with us...
ReplyDeleteSigh....true. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteI am only 45 and hubby is 47. I, too, have noticed a difference in our ability to get things done. We have worked hard, always, and as former dairy farmers, the wear and tear is evident. It take twice as long to get the those things that used to be simple, accomplished. My knee replacement surgery while not a complete failure has set me back significantly. My kids did yard work for us today and I find I sit far more than I used to which makes me feel guilty... and lazy. Im glad for their help yet there is a sadness in my heart.... sigh.
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time I too had a teen...I'd pretend to point a remote in his direction and say, click. He'd then mow my lawn....now, I turn it my way. Thanks, my sweet friend.
Deletefriend:
ReplyDeletegetting older and creakier bites and bites hard... think of it this way ... now you know why people paid you to mow their lawn when you were a kid ;-)
don't sweat it too much, bit the bullet and save your energy for the joyful stuff.. like replanting your herb garden.
hope you and sweet wife are well - cheers!
My friend...good point. The herb garden rebuild begins tomorrow. Thanks, my friend and give your lovely wife a hug from us.
DeleteI forgot to thank you for your service to this great nation.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Thank you, Jess.
DeleteStephen,
ReplyDeleteI say get the crew to do your yard work for you. It makes it so much easier. When it's so hot outside, and the grass has grown because you've had rain for a couple of days. It's so difficult to get caught up. This getting older thing really rots, I feel it myself. There's so many things you want to do but when you get started your body says "Hell No".
Don't work so hard my friend, and give Sweet Wife a hug from your Oklahoma friends.
We hired the young couple. They asked if I'd like to sign a yearly contract. I'll wait until I see the results of their work and then make a firm decision, and show proof of insurance and license. Should be interesting. When Sweet Wife awakes I'll be sure and give her your hug. She worries about you out there in big wind country. Thanks, Sweetheart.
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