In the weeds

Weeding is the line between gardening and yardwork.

Gardening is about creation, cultivation and watching the land transform over time.

Yardwork is hot, sweaty, and tiring. And weeding is its most particular evil. Weeding is repetitive, annoying, Sisyphean.

I would gladly do all other yard maintenance tasks if I could hire someone just to keep the lawn and plant beds weed-free.

In my lawn alone, I have crab grass, another type of crab grass, clover, something that looks like clover, and a tuberous creeper that blooms with little violets. To the beds, add wild strawberries, invasive ivy and the occasional huge massive weird weed that grows to bionic proportions if left untouched and has a milky, fibrous stalk.

The only thing not growing freely in the lawn right now: grass.

Can you guess how I spent my morning?