When we left last October, plants were still green, and some were still blooming. I just couldn’t bring myself to cut them all down. I did take in all the ‘yard art’, cover the patio furniture and potting bench, and clean up outside a little bit.
I’ve been spending a couple of hours outside each day since we’ve been home, trying to get the pond, gardens, and yards ready for summer. It’s a good thing that the weather has only allowed me to be outside a few hours each day – because even those few hours are doing me in! I had to cut down dead stalks, rake leaves out of flower beds, replant in the pond, tear out tomatoes, etc. etc. etc. I hurt everywhere. Every time I move.
I know that I’m not a ‘spring’ chick anymore (in more ways than one), but most of the time, I don’t feel like I’m over a half a century old. Most of the time, I feel like I’m still 23 years old. It’s hard, though, to feel like you are 23 years old – when you stand up from weeding and walk 10 steps stooped over – before you can stand upright! Oh yeah, I’m paying.
Came home to the pond like this. We lost most of the water out of it, to below the level of the pump, which then burned out. That left plants out of the water, which then died. It’s all cleaned up now, I filled it, treated the water, and the four koi are fine. The pond always looks a little strange to me this time of year, when the surface is so bare. In another month, it’ll be covered with plants and look it’s best.
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That pond is so deep! I can’t wait to see pics of it when it’s back to its lovely normal.
Oh and I understand the back aches. My little yard has given me much pain over the years. You emailed once about my age — I’ll be 45 in July. So, yeah, beginning to comprehend the steps taken before being able to stand upright! 😉
JACKIE SAYS: The pond is 3-1/2 feet at the deep end – to protect the koi from blue heron, and keep them safe from the racoons. I’ll post pictures when the plants are thriving in the pond, it’s so pretty then. Oh, and Alison, the back aches? It only gets worse.
Girl, I admire your energy! I’m afraid that after a few hours of that kind of work I’d be just one more dead thing somebody’d have to rake out of the garden.
I’m glad the fish made it.
JACKIE SAYS: Velvet, it’s energy for something I love – otherwise I’d never do it – it would be WORK! I just love digging in the dirt. Watching things grow, planting, watering – I love all of it. T doesn’t like the fact that I kill 3 inches of grass around all the flower beds and the ponds. Well, I don’t like the look of it much either, but I absolutely HATE to weed-eat and consider it WORK – and I won’t do it. We all have our ‘things’!
You’ll soon be back into gardening shape, and after a hard days work its a good reason for a long soak and a glass or two of something to relax you. After all you have earned it.
JACKIE SAYS: I hope you are right, Dave. Every year, I say that I’m going to go slow when I start – but I get outside and if it isn’t cold, I just don’t quit. Then I moan and groan around here, and carry on something awful. (I like to whine!)
I’ve been digging up stones and stuff and laying more turf, and I can’t stand up straight now either. And I’m only 32! ;o)
JACKIE SAYS: Well, it isn’t any wonder, girl! If you were 18 – you’d feel that way – after what you are doing! T and his son put down our sod, I couldn’t even have moved those rolls – they weigh a ton! I can’t wait to see pictures of your completed lawn.
I’m really excited to see how your garden looks after you’ve cleaned it up and have flowers start blooming. I’m so excited about the warming weather!
JACKIE SAYS: I’ll post pictures soon of some of the spring bulbs that have bloomed. It’s lookin’ good! I’m excited for the warm weather, too….now, where is it????
Gah, sorry about the meme. I know you’re busy. I was curious what your answers would be and since you’re busy, it is sort of a good way to write when there’s no time for writing! (mea culpa)
JACKIE SAYS: Hey, girlfriend, no need for any sorry!! I was just teasing you! It’s an honor to be tagged.(That’s the only thing I have about this blogging form of media….you can’t hear the inflections….so misunderstandings can occur).
Jackie, I know what you mean about the aches! I planted 7 tomatoes frantically before sunset on Friday so they could benefit from our anticipated rain storm. I then spent the rest of Friday night on a heating pad! UGH.
My mom and I both swear the reason we love to garden is that we both secretly love playing in dirt. We both manage to get covered in it and have been known to strip at the back door to not track it all through our houses! Holly
JACKIE SAYS: Holly, it’s hell to age, isn’t it!?! Of course, faced with the alternative, it’s not bad!! LOL
For me, the dirt is part of being one with nature, I think. Or….maybe it’s just that some of us weren’t allowed to
play in the mud enough when we were little!! 🙂
Jackie — I am glad your coi survived. I know you love the little critters. Wasn’t their last disaster a flood that had them swimminmg through the neighbor’s yard?
Ok, that is what I have always wanted! A pond just like yours. But larger. Yes, larger and longer and deeper and wider and larger and bigger. But that’s all I need. I don’t need anything else. Just this chair. A bigger pond, this chair and nothing else. Okay, and this TV remote control. But that’s ALL I need.
JACKIE SAYS: LOL I think all you might need, Gawpo, is some professional help!