Caved

My FIL

He has been the bane of my existence for the last six years. We share the farm. We share my Beloved. Sometimes I share dinner or a baked good with him. I'll admit that sometimes we even share a laugh.

Most of the time, we tolerate each other.

For the past six years we've been in a battle over the yard (well, over everything really). He's happy to accept free labor, but only if he can supervise (read: tell me exactly what, how, and where to do everything). He's not a gracious man and I'm a stubborn, opinionated, woman with a mind of her own and a sharp tongue.

I thought I was strong.

I thought that I could ignore the over growth, the under growth, and the jungle of blackberries that is over taking the yard.

I thought I could handle the embarrassment of looking like I live on Tobacco Row. In all honesty, I have no idea what Tobacco Row is or looks like. It's an old saying of my mothers that she would thrust out from behind clenched teeth whenever my father left tools, appliances, or car parts in the front yard or driveway for more than six hours.

I'm fairly certain she didn't mean it as a compliment.

I'm tired of living like Elle Mae and am taking strides to tidy up the acre that this house sits on (there are 8.5 acres of land total).

Okay, maybe not the entire acre. Maybe just the front yard. And the driveway. The apple orchard. The Rhodie's need a trim. The blackberries must be conquered. The grass...oh heaven help me...must be cut.

Must be.

I'd post pictures but, well, it's bad people.

And I have a reputation to uphold...somewhere...

On the upside, the front flower bed is looking nice. Really nice and as soon as I get some bark dust spread I'll take a picture. But not till then.

FIL is pleased with my work or he's happy that he's getting free labor. When I told him of a plan I had for a different part of the yard, he cut me off to inform me of his plan. I looked him in the eye and said, "Well, we both know that isn't going to happen."

I told you I have a sharp tongue.

Okay, so I've caved by even starting any yard work. He noted my caving and took an opportunity to squash my ideas and try to force me to do his bidding.

snicker

It's not going to happen. He won't carry out his plan because it would require him to do things that he simply won't do (like yard work and spend money). I, on the other hand, will carry out my plan and the yard will look, well, at least better than it does now.

Now, if I can just get it done before Wen gets here in two weeks!

Guess I should have caved earlier!

Thursday Morning

Good morning doggy, you look very noble today. Good dog.



Good morning pepper plant. I see your little peppers are growing. Nice job!



Good morning lettuce. I promise to love you, even if no one else does.



Good morning tomato. What a lovely bloom!



Good morning snowball bush. I need to have a word with you. You have outgrown your area and are invading the space of other flowers. I would expect a trim in the near future.



Good morning Rhodie's. When I look at you, I see Tykie. She'd think you were beautiful. Then she'd chastise me for not keeping you trimmed back.



Good morning busy bee. My, but you are busy! Hold still! I can't get a good shot. Ahhh, there we go...bee butt.

And, good morning to you reader!

April Showers Bring May Flowers & Storms

Yesterday we experienced a freak storm that lasted mere moments, but left a path of downed trees, power outages, and even one mans death. It was an incredible storm which left us wide-eyed.

The wind beat upon my poor tomato plants and blew the rain and hail sideways. Thunder shook the house, but the most impressive aspect of the storm was the lightning, which struck in town and here on our little farm.





It was stated on the news that someone spotted a funnel cloud. That is not a common event here in the Pacific Northwest. All I know is that I'm glad I wasn't out running laps when the storm struck.

More signs that spring is upon us...

Spring is upon us. I know this because my allergies are becoming unmanageable. This only happens in the spring. There are other clues as well. The trees are blooming (pollen), the grass is growing (pollen), and the breeze is blowing (the pollen).

Because it’s Monday and because I have to work, I leave you with photos of what spring looks like on our little farm.

Enjoy!


The road going up from the barn.


A maple tree in bloom.


The field across the road.


Cowdy! She and I had a nice long conversation last evening.


The old barn.


My little sunshine