Yard work....

Those two words conjure up all kinds of feelings for most people. For our handyman, Ray, it strikes fear in his heart. He knows when the weather is warm and I leave the park in the truck he is going to have to do yard work. This year has been particularly fearful because there has been so much cold damage. We have been forced, much to my chagrin, to dig out some very old tropicals that have been here for many, many years. Most of our established plants are coming back but we have some 70+ year old gardenias that were eight feet tall that are not showing any signs of life. I am still hopeful. Ray just keeps chanting, "Plastic, they make these things in plastic."

For my husband, Wayne, it means spending time that would have been devoted to refurbishing a mobile or making needed repairs. To say he doesn't enjoy it would be an understatement. He is good about taking care of the irrigation and major mechanical needs and he doesn't mind that so much. I can't even say he complains about the work as he always appreciates how nice everything looks when we are finished.

Gardening is my hobby. I love it! I love it! I have missed getting out there and digging in the dirt. I don't really do much of the actual digging any more but I do "supervise" quite well. (I hurt my hip last year and no one wants a repeat of that.) This week we had to remulch, replant, prune, fertilize, dig out, replace, repot. In a couple of instances we had to move stuff I just planted two weeks ago. Why do they sell plants in Florida that can't withstand the heat??

The other pleasantry is the wonderful Florida aroma of orange blossoms in bloom. Everyday I thank God for that beautiful frangrance filling the air. If a "smell" could be music, this time of year would be like a symphony! By the time the orange blossoms are finished the conferderate jasmine will be in full bloom and oh my, the wisteria is gorgeous and fragrant.

The park's butterfly garden needs much work this year. The poor monarchs have no place to lay their eggs because my milk weed is just dead. There are plenty of nectar plants and water but no host plants available. Sorry Ray, that's the next project. Love, hate and fear all wrapped up into two words....yard work.