Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Good, honest work.

I played around with the edger in the front yard today, working up a glow perspiration sweat. The curb in front of Roseholme Cottage coincides with a low spot in the gutter, and wants to fill with dirt (which then sprouts grass,) and so today I laboriously shoveled about half of it into a trash can, intending to drag it into the back yard and spread it under the hackberry tree in a spot that was half-heartedly graveled by a previous owner and is gradually returning to lawn.

Do you know how heavy half a trash can full of dirt is? I think I'll wait and do the other half tomorrow.

And now, courtesy of a generous reader, I am going to finish reading Eats, Shoots & Leaves while disposing of a frosty pitcher of ice water on the veranda.

9 comments:

Ancient Woodsman said...

I think a book subtitled a zero tolerance approach to correct punctuation would surely have been a hit with Messrs. Strunk & White. Provided that it is not too long.

Enjoy the read!

Ed Skinner said...

That water needs a bit of flavoring. Might I suggest a little Laphroaig and a cube of ice?

DJ said...

Does the term "wheelbarrow" come to mind?

Or is that question out of order without offering chocolate?

Tam said...

No wheelbarrows on hand. :(

Anonymous said...

I quite enjoyed that book. Perhaps I'll read it again on Sunday.

Jim

Bubblehead Les. said...

No wheelbarrow? Then might I suggest the Wife's favorite yard strategy, a 5 gallon paint bucket and many trips to the back, with an equal number of Rest Stops on the return to the job site? And yes, we have a wheelbarrow, but She only allows Me to drive it. Admittedly, the work doesn't get done quickly, but we no longer get as many lower back spasms, either.

Anonymous said...

All this talk of a glow, frosty pitchers and verandas does conjure a lovely and proper mind picture, Miss Scarlett, but...

Just gimmee the sweat, the beer, and the porch, if you please.

AT

John Peddie (Toronto) said...

Absent a wheelbarrow, a neighbourhood kid with a shiny red wagon could be bribed for its loan for an hour.

For a really good bribe, he might even pull it.

Hat Trick said...

"Do you know how heavy half a trash can full of dirt is?"

About 80 lbs or more if it's got some moisture content.

If this is going to be a recurring activity I'd concur on getting the wheelbarrow or taking smaller bites with the trash can.