I recently bought a house (long story) and now I’m working to get it pulled together (long process) and, as part of that, I’m confronted with a new opportunity and burden all wrapped up in one: I have a yard.
I’ve been living in an apartment for a while, and the best part of apartment living is there’s no grass to mow. I certainly haven’t missed the yardwork, as I’ve never really enjoyed that.
I know some people love making sure their yard looks fantastic. I’m lazy by nature and I don’t like the heat. So while I’ve been extremely excited throughout the house-hunting and closing experiences, I wasn’t necessarily looking forward to the part where I had to take care of a yard.
The house has been in my possession for a full week now, and I’ve spent most evenings and two weekends over there trying to fix up the little things. That’s mostly been painting, though I also installed a paper towel holder and felt extremely proud of my construction skills.
Now, April showers prepare to bring May flowers, which also means the grass is growing. Time for me to mow, weed, trim, fertilize, etc., etc. I stood in the middle of my front yard this past Sunday, looked around, and wondered where to start.
A flower is always the first step. Every year, my mother plants flowers in huge pots and waters them religiously throughout the summer. It makes the house look gorgeous, and as I stared at my own front door, I realized I wanted to follow in her footsteps.
I stopped in at my current home away from home, a local home improvement store that I’ve spent way too much time and money at over the past week stocking up on paint and random extra things I have discovered one needs when caring for a house. And I went straight to the garden section.
A pink dahlia immediately caught my eye. I couldn’t resist it.
So now, my house has a beautiful flower that also signals to my new neighbors that I am here, the house is once again occupied, and I promise to take care of it. At least, that’s what I hope it says.
I did apologize to the dahlia. As much as I try to emulate my mother in most things, I did not inherit her green thumb. There’s a good chance that dahlia will be dead by June. But hopefully not!
So anyway, I had my flower, and then I was looking around the rest of the yard when I got a brilliant idea: Why not start a garden?
I’m talking herbs. I’m talking veggies. I’m talking rows and rows of seeds. I’ve never maintained a garden before, but now I have the space. Maybe this is my year to start.
To be determined. But I am determined, and I hope it works out. I’m hoping in a few months I’ll be writing all about the bountiful harvest I have experienced. Fingers crossed.
And through all of this, I have decided that I am going to win a Pride Eye Award.
The Pride Eye Awards are recognitions given out by Pride, Inc. in the Alton and Godfrey communities to acknowledge people who put effort into their yards. It’s just a fun little way to give some kudos to folks who go that extra mile.
I have never been known for going the extra mile. (See above: lazy.) But I’ve decided that this is my year. I’m still learning how best to care for the yard, as this is completely new territory for me to be in charge of something like this. But I have high hopes that my yard will be thriving soon, with thick grass, crisp lawnmower lines, plenty of flowers and, of course, the garden.
It’s fun to dream. Follow along to see if I follow through.
