Slash And Burn
An active but relaxing weekend which included: veggie barbecuing, some delirious Xbox killing, watching the NFL draft through sleepy morning eyes (AJ Hawk was a good pick up for the Packers), a visit to the Japanese Gardens, plant purchasing, outdoor patio furniture purchasing, and a heap of yard maintenance.

When we moved into the Ranch, it became apparent that the outdoor estate had not been cared for much in the previous years. Everything was overgrown, trees were hugging other trees, bushes were sick, and weeds were happily in command of the terra. Thus, our main landscaping priority has been removal. Cut it. Slash it. Dig it up. Trim it down. My deforestation scorecard reads ‘four’ but could well reach eight to ten by Summers end. Holly trees are my new enemy and a formidable one at that; their stabbing pointed leaves bring forth fresh cascading strings of expletives. They make me wish I owned a backhoe equipped with twin front-mounted flame-throwers. And, while we are on the subject of pointy stabbing flora, can I just say: fuck roses. I hate roses. They’re ugly, gangly, gothic bushes that look pathetic most of the year and inflict way more damage than they are worth. Fortunately, we got tons of ’em. And, with zen-like patience, I will enjoy ripping apart each and everyone of them. The misses, single-handedly destroyed two yesterday. The bastards got deep roots tho. I wonder if I can get that backhoe on Craigslist.

Someday we actually hope to start planting something.