By Charlotte Byus
RR and I purchased our first home in the late 60’s, our down payment was the sale of our first boat. It was a US Homes in Alief, three bedroom and one & a half baths with one-car garage. Small is a very good word, but the yard was a nice size with lots of room for many flower beds and trees. We were given a push mower that was older than us but RR loved it. We had a hand-turned edger that I tried to use. Finally, RR took it away from me, with good reason. My Uncle Henry gave us two “Rose of Sharron” bushes, Dolores gave us cast iron plants and Mom gave us daylilies. And there is the start of our love in yards.
As years went by, we worked very hard for the Yard of the Month sign in our yard. Some subdivisions had a Garden Club and some did not. We managed to move 10 times in 56 years. I will admit that seven of those homes received Yard of the Month at least once a summer, and several twice. Our “Garden Noses” were way up in the air and we worked harder every year.
The home I am in now, hopefully, will be the last, but I must say I am very tired of tornado watches and warnings! Friday was a wonderful day! My yard person came on Wednesday, as it was expected to rain on Thursday. Nope, no rain, so Friday, I was out early. So much to do! Watering baskets and my ONE flower bed, spreading ant bait and a bag of grass seed. Oh yes, I forgot a gallon of weed killer.
Stood back about 5pm and admired my job. Dianne sent me a text from the farm about all the rain Blanco was receiving. About 30 minutes later, I heard thunder … It rained about 2 hours, a solid downpour!
There are only five homes on this street, so we do not have a Garden Club. But, if we did, I would receive the sign for “Ditch of the Month.” No ants, no weeds and lots of grass in the ditch.
I’m not giving up! I’m just going to laugh it off!
[CB: May-2-2023]