Persistent rain turns yards into swamps

I don’t remember it raining this much last year. It has gotten so wet in our area our yards are fast turning into swamps. These swamps are now weed-dominated. There are still a few patches of grass left, but not many.

I have decided that since weeds are so much tougher than grass, perhaps a weed lawn isn’t that bad — except it has rained so much that spending any time outside working is just not possible. Our place is very embarrassed by how her lawn looks.

Next week we are promised a couple of clear days. Unfortunately, we need more than just a few dry days for our swampy yard to dry out. The wet earth in flower beds makes it easy to plant bulbs, plants and seeds. Kneeling on wet ground is easier than kneeling on dry, hard ground, but the wet ground is much messier on our knees.

Last year, with help from daughters, we got an entire flowerbed free of weeds and then planted lots of flowering plants. It looks magnificent. All that yard work made our house so happy. Those of us who did all the work are proud of the results, though we are sore from kneeling on the hard, muddy ground.

I haven’t mentioned it, but I am planning a very large vegetable garden at the rear of our property. It will take an enormous amount of work, but just think of all the food it will produce and the money it will save. Our house appears very impressed with my vegetable garden plans since it is at the back of our lot and not visible to visitors.

Our lovely house expects to be surrounded by lovely plants and flowers in gardens in front of her foundation. Her lawn must be well-maintained and always cut at a 3-inch level.

Actually, if truth be told, our house is far more elegant than any of her occupants. And we are noticing she has gotten a bit more demanding each year that passes. If her demands continue at the current rate, we won’t be able to afford her in two or three years. The positive in this situation is she is quite elegant and is a standout property now in our neighborhood.

Perhaps we should go ahead and put her on the market. She should bring in a nice profit, enough for us to find another house with dreams of glory. If we need to remember what this house has taught us, it is “a spoiled house is an expensive house.”

Laura Moore can be emailed at lehmoore1@gmail.com.