And attack I did.
For 6 hours, with a brief interlude for lunch fed to me by the new neighbors who were attempting to host a glam brunch in the back yard, I weeded and weeded some more, cut down shrubs and toted bags of refuse up the hill to the front yard.
I filled a trash can so full it took me 2 hands and several rest stops to get it up the 5 ft. grade.
I'm sure I provided plenty of entertainment for the guests sitting all of 20 feet away.
The kittens helped. Lucy and I were both amazed by a butterfly sitting in the new little peach tree.
And Gus loved the back and forth motion of the Dutch hoe and jumped through clouds of weeds to get in on the action.
But me being me, and being born without a stop button, I managed through hours of repetive motion to give myself an all day and all night Monday migraine.
Dear God that was unpleasant.
So today when I came home from work, after trying to cut down a stream of liorpe in the front yard and being rewarded with a rush of nausea, I put down my tools, brought out a chair from inside and with a cool drink and the Sunday NYT, relaxed and enjoyed the late afternoon.
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Though I know weeds wait for no man, or woman, I'm going to try approaching this from a different angle.
And although my yard is small, it is packed with plants and beds. Where before there were two people working feverishly, now there is one.
And she's gonna slow it down. No more than 3 hours labor. I mean it.
No it won't be perfect but it never was. It's a garden, not an event.
And sometimes it's nice to just sit in it and watch the strawberries bloom.
And with the help of cropping it's always gonna look good for y'all. No worries, right?
xo Jane
All gardens are works in progress.
ReplyDeleteMy new mantra.
DeleteJane, I spent most of Saturday working in the yard as well. I am going to try something different this year and try to embrace at least some of the weeds, i.e. wild violets this year. In the past I have allowed them to drive me nuts....I'm over it....I think.
ReplyDeleteOh I do hope your headache has vanished. Take care of yourself, rest and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Bonnie
I love the wild violets, at least as long as they are blooming.
DeleteHeadache 90% gone. Oh what a relief it is.
One bed at a time , eh, Janey?
ReplyDeleteThat's right, just like one bunny at a time:+)
DeleteSo enjoy your posts. I am a gardener as well. About migraines. There are wonderful rx's you can get from a neurologist or any doctor that you see that make them disappear within 15 minutes. Zomig was my favorite. Mine began in my 40's (totally hormonal). Pain killers will only make you nauseous...or, you can always try Excedrin Migraine. I hate to talk about this on your post, but I've suffered from migraines, too!
ReplyDeleteAll migrianeurs welcome! I take Imitrex or Treximet but if the migraine gets a head stop on me I'm helpless to stop it.
DeleteI'll ask my doctor about Zomig. Thank you. xo
Nice to see your post. Sorry about the migrane - ouch.
ReplyDeleteI, too, was born without a stop button (for oh so many things). I now have bruises up my right leg and a twisted left knee from trimming high hedges that lead to cleaning the gutters - the darn ladder climbing/moving and pole trimming caused the bruising.
We have a largish yard, no lawn, mostly native or tolerant to the area but weeds with a capital WEED. We squint a lot to make them look better in our mind. Try it, it works. We try to do most visible area first, then work our way back into the thick, sometimes the thick gets ignored for the full season, then winter arrives signaling we are done.
Hope you feel better.
Best to you, Kitty, USA
Well you made me smile so you know I'm feeling better:-)
DeleteOkay:squint. got it!
I'm trying to think of a smart-assed remark about the Dutch hoe but it just wouldn't work as well in writing as it would in audio. Do you offer audio comments?
ReplyDeleteNice to see some real flowers. And my little girlfriend Lucy.
Lucy was a perfect Florence Nightingale yesterday.She slept it off with me.
DeleteGarden flowers! they just appeared over the weekend. They're very welcome indeed.
laughing at steve. omg.
ReplyDeletejane we could be sisters. and i thank god everyday that i have a cottage garden which to me means - perfectly imperfect.
take care my friend. take care. xo
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ReplyDeleteI'm texting you photos of my yard. You'll feel even better about what you've accomplished. We haven't even started!
ReplyDeleteMy body started to ache as soon as I read 6 hours. I'm so lazy I'm with book or newspaper and drink much more than working in the garden. Though today felt like spring so maybe I'll give some love to my garden. Love Lucy and the grape hyacinths!
ReplyDeleteMigraine be gone . . . not fun, been there had them . . . push the stop button sooner and sit back and enjoy some yellow and purple . . .
ReplyDeleteRegular aspirin got rid of my migraines, not sure why but as long as I keep it up I never get them any more.
ReplyDeleteI can remember going out to the garden to do one small thing and dragging myself back inside hours later totally dehydrated and starving. I'm a bit more sensible now! x
My back, shoulders, hips, butt and knees are all crying out in sympathetic pain for yours. BTDT several times - well, yearly I think! Know the feeling of pleasure that comes from clearing a huge swath like that, but Girl, you gotta slow down. You are way younger than I, but how about 90 minutes for a while? and then 90 minutes with the kitties under a tree.
ReplyDeleteGlad it's finally decent weather for the garden! Enjoy more, work less ... ok? xoxo
No worries. A little debris is good for the soul. In more ways that one.
ReplyDeleteBalance is so hard. I totally understand. I try, but I'm not the best at it. That's for sure... All we can do is the best we can, right? But you must do everything possible to avoid those migraines. Eek. Take care, slow it down, at least a little bit, and watch those berry blooms. xx
ReplyDeleteSmall projects at a time, then sit back and reward yourself by relaxing and admiring your efforts.
ReplyDeleteWithin a few sessions you'll tame those garden goliaths.
Or hide cat biscuits in the soil and get those kitties weeding!
Paul x
Taking time to smell the roses, or strawberries, is always a good choice.
ReplyDeleteOur place is a haven for weeds, the battle never ends. We try and convince ourselves of their good with this saying. “A weed is a flower growing in the wrong place.” – George Washington Carver.
ReplyDeleteMostly it doesn't work....
Jane,
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only one who suffers horrific migraines the day after a long bout in the garden!
So glad you are taking it easier and making time for the simple enjoyment of life.
Beautiful pink blossom pic. Cats make the best garden helpers.
ReplyDeleteDon't kill yourself.
And hydrate :-)
You have just provided me with my new garden mantra ... It's a garden, not an event ... what wisdom in six little words.
ReplyDeleteIt HAS been a good year for weeds, hasn't it.
Pace yourself. (and I will try to take my own advice.)
great photos, hope you're feeling better ! i had one of those last week ugh. 3 days to recover ;)
ReplyDeletedef no worries! It is often so hard to stop once you get going in the garden, but I am totally for perfectly imperfect or is it the other way 'round? That is how it rolls with me! xx
ReplyDelete