Yesterday mirrored the picture above. With spring in full bloom, HHH and I have become hired hands. Just when you think retirement is final and complete, a new job might appear on your plate. In our case, we’ll care for the yard of our rental, also known as St. Louis Road.
The cutest couple moved into the rental around the first of the year. Young and adorable, they were excited to find such a nice home with a beautiful yard for their two active dogs. To sweeten the deal, they’d receive $100 a month applied to their water bill from April through November. An incentive to keep the sprinklers on and the garden growing. Of course, gardening services were included in the monthly rent.
The leasing company was happy enough to offer the services of THEIR gardener. When we started to consider the cost, we suddenly became younger than springtime. Having taken care of the yard for almost a decade, HHH could certainly do a better job than a crew of strangers. With his trusty sidekick, we’d be saving money and enjoying time together gardening. After all, it’s what these two romantic roses love to do.
The first week, HHH went by himself. He ran the mower over the front lawn and did a little watering. Everything looked great and he returned home in a flash.
Last week, we went together after almost forgetting our commitment. I must say our hearts weren’t in it that day. Heck, the lawn looked alright. So did the flowerbeds. Without taking a peak of the back yard, we made the decision to let one week pass and return in seven days.
During those seven days, with sprinklers still off, Mother Nature turned up the heat. Yesterday, everything was gasping for water. We came not a moment too soon and got to work.
The lawn was mowed. We weeded the front flower beds. The renters were happy to say “Hello”, wondering where we were the week before. We WERE there, we just didn’t mow and garden. Taking inventory of what was needed was a little painful for me, so it must have been like a knife to the heart to HHH. HIS beautiful St. Louis Road home wasn’t the same anymore. His green thumb left the building, now working magic at Winterpast instead and it showed.
With the front yard finished, we moved to the back yard, which was in even sadder shape. When we turned on the drip line, it was apparent that the resident dogs love emitters as much as Oliver. Water sprayed every which way and our hearts sunk. This gardening stuff will be a little more intensive than either of us had imagined.
Yesterday, we were gardeners AND repair people. If we would’ve paid to have someone else do the repairs, the cost would have doubled. And so, now, WE are the hired help. Each Tuesday, from 10-12, we’ll be the gardeners. It’s just what we’ll be doing.
It was nice to be back at the very house at which I first met HHH. In late August, 2023, he invited me over for a gourmet dinner with three main entree’s. Elk, Tuna, and Filet Mignon. They were all delicious, along with the sides he prepared. So handsome and witty, little did I know that over 1.5 years later, I’d be gardening right along his side. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Very low on energy by evening, I decided to do one more thing and began reading “A Country Year — Living the Questions” by Sue Hubbell. What a lovely book. If you love nature and gardening as much as I do, it’s a must. It’s as if she’s describing life on my old ranch so long ago. Thanks to the Goddess of the Central Coast for recommending such a beautiful book!!
“Once in a while there comes along a book so calm, so honest, so beautiful that even the most jaded or cynical readers have to say thank you…This is such a book.” San Diego Tribune
An amazing compliment to a wonderful writer.
Whatever you plan to accomplish today, try to do just a little more than that. Before breakfast, I pulled a 5-gallon bucket of garden weeds. Although I hadn’t planned on it, I’m so glad I accomplished something extra. Better clean up my own garden because it’s only six days until I return to the status of the another’s hired hand.
More tomorrow.