We got at it in the yard this morning. Rog mowed the front & side yards, then weed whacked. I finally got out in the driveway to tie up my sweetpeas. That terrible dust bowl day we had a couple of weeks ago laid them low and they just didn't bounce back. They look great otherwise, very full and almost ready to bloom. I couldn't find the string, so I used some old yarn I've had for years, saffron coloured, so it looks quite colourful already. I deadheaded all annuals and watered them and the perennial garden, and also picked up trash and pulled a few weeds before Rog came round with the whacker.
Then came the big job. There is a "volunteer" Russian Olive tree which came up several years ago, in the driveway, snug up against the picket fence. I've been wanting him to cut it down for ages, but we've only trimmed it now and then. It was blocking some light for my redbud tree. So, today, Rog went to work and lopped off all of its branches, some quite substantial ones and I can't believe how much sunlight comes through there now! I kind of feel badly, trees are such a precious commodity out here and ROs don't require any care, but I think I will grow used to it looking so nude. We will keep it trimmed back. We also have a row of them at the back of our property line, so it wasn't the only one. I was able to help by dragging all of the branches part way to the backyard where Rog stacked them, way back. We have a good-sized fenced in what must've been a veggie garden, which became our sort of compost spot. Huge ruts from irrigation, we think, and not manageable until we have more time, cash, and desire, but in the meantime all branches, christmas trees, etc. get added to the pile. It's not what you would call a real compost heap, but if we ever woodchip it all or whatever, we could get some mulch, plus we know there are small critters and birds who like its "wildness."
We came in just at lunch as it was really starting to get hot. Ate lunch, then I started sorting through the two boxes of papers I pulled to get rid of from the filing cabinet. There is an office paper recycling thing parked at the grocery store parking lot, so when I am done shredding sensitive stuff and removing all the staples, we'll take it over. How do you like my one-finger typing? I sprained my right wrist and have a splint on and, in tearing up papers, I messed up my left index finger, it is on ice at the moment! **bg**
Do any of you remember Bartles & James wine coolers? For the first time in about twenty years I wanted a cool, alcoholic drink. Margarita wine cooler sounded really good. Both liquor stores said they don't make them any more and they had no alternatives. I found a b&j website 2011 and they do still make them, but they are only available back East! I am past wanting one now as I am cooled off, but I did find a recipe and will try it out this summer. I just don't drink, but every once in a while a margarita or amaretto sour sounds really good.:-)