Weeds in the DG

Last year, Winterpast got a new blanket of DG. For those of you living in the lush green grasses of California, let me explain. DG stands for Decomposed Granite. In other words, crushed rock. DG is the material covering lovely garden paths at your local nursery. It’s great for zero-scaping, making everything look neat and tidy. The larger-sized DG doesn’t blow away like sand does in our Zephyr windstorms that regularly blow through here.

This year, for some unknown reason, my DG is supporting a crop of weeds. Growing atop two inches of crushed rock, these little succulents and their roots are easy enough to remove. With no mulch or dirt in which to anchor themselves, these little weeds have managed to find enough moisture from the air to grow. I spread DG as an effective weed barrier. How many would I have without the DG?

Life is just like my DG, isn’t it? You think everything is raked up neat and tidy, when in reality, we’re all just a lab report away from disaster. Those moments when your DG looks just perfect as you sip lemonade on your porch are moments. Real life is everything else we deal with or dodge 24/7. Weeds in the DG is God’s way of giving me something small to distract me from off the bigger problems in life, even if only for an hour.

Living on a street of retired gardeners, letting the weeds remain isn’t an option. In my dusty little town at the wide spot in the road, my neighborhood is an oddity. People actually like creating a beautiful yard and spend hours caring for them. On my street especially, weeds are frowned upon. Mind you, this isn’t the normal way of thinking in my town.

Two of the best gardening home owners are ready to sell. Sadly, they live right across the street. Aged out, they are returning to family in California while the fate of our street remains in the hands of reality professionals. Loud music? Zero-scapers? Party animals? People with multiple adult children and their children living under one roof? Or retired people that appreciate the quiet solitude that the desert provides. Only time will tell. I know that I’ve been blessed with the quietest of neighbors for two years now. My luck probably won’t hold out much longer. Living in a sea of original owners enjoying their twilight years was a risk I took when buying Winterpast. After 20 years, the neighborhood is ripe for a change.

Today, the weather may start warming up a little. It’s 42 degrees as I write this morning, with an expected high in the 70’s. A wonderful day to get rid of the unwanted weeds in the front yard while soaking up the sun and making a little Vitamin D on my own.

After the weeds are done, I plan to visit VST’s headstone in Virginia City. If you visit the cemetery, go to the top of the hill and look for one of the few new headstones of the only Dr. in the place. You’ll find it. If you can’t, ask Calvin, the caretaker. He’ll take you right to the spot, as he knows every inch of the property.

For the first time as a widow, I’ve purchased a lovely headstone spray in red, white, and blue flowers. While decorating Winterpast with some patriotic buntings in recognition of Memorial Day, I remembered that my other little spot of Nevada real estate needs some attention. On a barren hilltop, surrounded by headstones of those who passed in the 1800’s, few relatives are left to remember their loved ones. A wonderful reason to spend a morning in VC and enjoy a lunch of Gospel Fried Chicken at Cafe del Rio. I may even chase it with an ice cream cone from Grandma’s Fudge and Confections.

Whatever you do today, make it enjoyable. It’s Friday!! Kick up your heels and live a little.

More tomorrow.