Compromises, Challenges & Competition

St. Louis finally had beautiful weather last weekend (sorry Steph) which enabled Jim & me to do a lot of yard work & gardening. Last year we (he) labored tremendously to put in a stairway on the side of the house which slopes down to the “gravel pit” which held the previous owner’s swing/play set but is now our washers, Hoosier golf, bonfire and all-around play area. I had shown Jim a few pictures from magazines to give him a good idea of how I wanted the stairs to look. To make a long story short, he worked very hard, it didn’t look like any of the pictures; I was not happy with the end result and have learned to live with it.

Leading off from the stairway are numerous small flat stones that were not very stable. I told Jim a few weeks ago that they looked treacherous and people would be scared to walk on them (as Janet told me last year at the washers tournament) and we should do something about it. A few days ago Jim came up with his solution – he said he was going to cement the stepping stones in so they’d be like a sidewalk. I immediately disagreed and said I wanted it to look natural.

Yesterday we were doing errands and he said he had to stop at Home Depot before we went to World Outdoor Emporium to get a truckload of mulch. I started whining because it seems like we’re always at Home Depot and he said he had to get cement. When I realized what he intended to do with the cement I tried to stay calm and said, “So there’s no discussion? You’re just going to do what you want?” He then reminded me that I got my way about EVERYTHING in the dining room redecoration and this was outside and he should get his way when it comes to the yard. I didn’t remind him about the stairway he did the way he wanted. After more discussion we compromised and decided to buy large stepping stones when we went to buy the mulch. We picked out Tennessee flat rock that are set into the ground and very stable. It looks nice and everyone’s happy.

While Jim was working on the pathway, I potted some flowers & plants and while I was working I came across a pair of ice skates. They reminded me of a friendly competition Barb & I had some years back. The challenge was who could come up with the most unique and original container to plant in. Barb’s old time telephone was very nice but I took the prize (if there was one) with my children’s ice skates. I think Joyce might’ve entered but I can’t remember for sure.

This got me thinking of starting another competition since all of the “original 7” will be in town for the 4th of July weekend and we’ll be getting together for a poker party Saturday. I just thought of it yesterday and haven’t come up with a good idea yet but will continue pondering. So I’m throwing out a challenge. It’s a competition to see who can come up with the best competition for the family competition.

The Mole Killer

Most days when I come home from work I take a walk around the yard. Friday when I was making my usual round I noticed one of the mole traps looked to be sprung but I wasn’t sure so I didn’t say anything to Jim when I went inside to change. After we ate, we both went outside and when he saw the trap he said it had been sprung but since there’s been other ones sprung in the past, he didn’t get his hopes up. He stabbed the trap in the ground a little then pulled it out and lo & behold we scored ourselves a mole! Hallelujah!!!! It was about 6 inches long and Jim threw it down the bluff in the woods. He questioned whether there were more and I told him I didn't think so because I learned in the Mole Hunter seminar & DVD that they are territorial and don't share their runs with others. They even kick their babies out after a few weeks to go find their own yards to ruin. So I think we've finally gotten rid of the mole. The only problem is that I also learned that other moles will take over abandoned runs....

Gardens at the Miller home

I was told to post pictures of my garden by " big sister". Here are a few of the front showing the lilacs, azaleas, ajuga & forget-me-nots in bloom. I still have some annuals to plant for color when these perennials stop blooming. Take my advice---don't ever plant monkey grass unless you want to battle it spreading for years to come. It's very tough to pull and has runners that go on forever!