Time to Tidy-Up

  My friends who know my philosophy of housework – it’s better to read a book than dust it – will get a chuckle out of my April blog assignment: spring cleaning.
 
I parlayed that into outdoor spring cleaning, which is equally amusing...
...coming from a gal who loves the great outdoors, viewed through a window. (Preferably while reading a guess what!)

A few years ago I found myself in charge of the yard and on a steep learning curve. Here are some things I’ve learned:
 
*There is no yard task that can’t be made bearable by listening to recorded books. I remember where I was working when I found out where the Second Foundation was located - thank you Isaac Asimov - and where I listened to Dumbledore’s conversation with Harry in King’s Cross Station.
*Liriope (monkey grass) needs to be mowed before it puts out new growth in April.
*Un-mowed liriope will still put out new growth and will not perish but thrive.
*Beauty is in the eye . . . Wild violets in the lawn are a thing of beauty. Dandelions are not. I have a special trowel just for them and their pernicious roots.
*Lawn mowers need oil checks and changes and enjoy an annual day at the spa (Beards Outdoor Power Equipment in Crestwood.)
*Bird droppings take the paint off cars. I keep a water squirt bottle and rags by the basement door for combating this.
*Plants have the will to survive, in spite of me. 
*“Only two things that money can’t buy; that’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.”

Contributed by Elaine Jack, Assistant Editor, Today's Family magazine.