The Green Grass of Summer

Warm weather awakens the dormant lawn again. I've been mowing lawns for over thirty years now as this season approaches. Although there is satisfaction in maintaining your own yard, I've come to the realization that narrowly avoiding heat stroke, breathing dust, and having my arms shredded by various thorned plants has dampened my enthusiasm for yard maintenance.

Three weeks ago I ran into Felipe at the dumpster in the alley as I dumped branches from a particularly nasty desert tree. Felipe maintains two of the yards in our cul de sac. I asked if he was interested in taking on another yard. He said yes and would start Friday. Friday came and went and no Felipe. So, a prunin' and a mowin' I went. It was Easter weekend so maybe he took it off. He didn't show the following Friday either. Once more I donned my sweatband, straw hat, gloves, earplugs, and safety glasses for a bout with nature. I saw him across the street yesterday and asked him if he plans to do my yard. He said he couldn't today and that his mower was broken last week. He promised he would start next Friday though.