June 20, 2012
One would think there would have been plenty of time to blog since March. I'm sure Martha Stewart would find time, but I sure couldn't. When I did have five or ten minutes to rest from pulling weeds, I did just that. Plopped down on the bench beside our pond, and caught my breath. Illinois seems to have prolific weeds. I mean I can pull them today and I swear in two days they are back and brought friends.
Weeds can grow in the most uncommon places; in sidewalk cracks, in rocks, under rocks and between rocks, in gutters, even in the fire pit. I can't seem to just go for a walk through my gardens or over the hill because I am compulsed to bend over and twist the little buggers out by their torso. Even if I do not get the roots at least I have ruined their day. Once I tried spraying them with vinegar because that had worked for a friend of mine. They did begin to turn a faint shade of yellow but they got a second wind. Sometimes I gas up the Stihl weed eater and whip them to smitherines. Shreds cling to my jeans, shoes, shirt, my face and smear my glasses. After a few weeks of regular shredding they seem to be afraid to stick they fearful heads up at the moment.
Actually, some weeds almost fool me. Last night I surveyed one in the bed by the road. It is probably a weed because it is so lush and bushy and green, but I can't be sure it's not a flower that might yet bloom. I am keeping a close eye on this one with daily evaluation. The whispy plume at the top could be the beginnings of a flower or not. Time will tell.
I get so tired and sore from bending that I often weed with my little spade. I skim across the top of the earth, which is dry as a bone right now. I have to sharpen the spade frequently. In fact, it's much shorter than it was when I first bought it. All the little weeds that I cut are diced up into a weedy mulch and spread to the side to be mowed over with the lawn mower. Occasionally, I'll dig a deep root and get that bugger out of there. It's a quick fix that works for me. I feel like I've made an attempt.
I wear brown cotton work gloves when working. However, the dirt still silts through the glove and into the cracks in my hands and under my nails. It seems I can never get my hands clean. All the women at work have these soft, beautiful hands and nails, and then there's mine. I have tried Lava soap, bleach, lemons, spray and wash, and on and on. I just have ugly hands.