We often crash Lance and Kim's place on "grilling weekends" because they usually have a big old cookout. Jer called Lance on Thurs to see what they were up to. Nothing. Well, we said we'd come on over, anyway, and bring some brats. Lance said that'd be fine, and, since we'd be there, we could help him with some yard work. Ah, friends.
We went over on Sat. We took the dogs, too, so we didn't have to worry about how long we stayed. They also have two dogs, so they all got to run around a lot. Jasper whined. Togo escaped. Is there any other way? All was well, though.
It turned out Lance got some new plants to put in, but needed to clear out some daisies to make room. I said I'd happily take some off his hands. We hung out most of the day, dug up a bunch of plants, wore the dogs out, and just generally had a good time. We returned home with exhausted dogs and a couple clumps of daisies.
Sunday! So, Bonnie had been here a couple weeks before because she was on the way up to NH for a wedding. The wedding was my cousin's and, obviously, his dad, my uncle, was there. Uncle Togi was going to visit with some friends in VA after the wedding and wanted to come up to visit us. We arranged for Sunday.
Sunday started out with Jer deciding to excavate his side of the garage and I finally found my lopping shears and decided to have at some of the trees in the yard, as they regularly run in to me and I was sick of it. The willow got quite a haircut and the pine trees and dogwood lost some of their lower branches. It was hot and we were sweaty and so we had to get cleaned up before Uncle Togi and Nancy showed up around 2.
They had some issues convincing the GPS our address exists, but it all worked out and they got to our place fine. We gave them a tour and we sat and chatted a bit. Uncle Togi has been working in tumor research labs for the last, uh, many years. So he has a keen understanding of the academic process and was excited to hear of my progress. I told him I still had an opportunity to fail, but that I was hoping things would continue to go my way.
Anyway, they took us to dinner and we had a great time catching up. I told him he should come to my walking thing in December (assuming all goes well), so I might see him again soon. That'd be nice.
Monday we got up (early compared to the other days, because Jer had to go to work) and Jer did his work and I did a few more finishing (presumably) touches on the thesis of doom. I then went out to figure out where I wanted to put the daisies. They were not happy in their garbage bag on the deck (go figure).
I've mentioned before the overabundance of daffodils we have. Well, outside the fence, one whole side is just daffodils. No other plants (uh, not counting weeds, of course). I decided I'd put the daisies in there. They'll like the sun and bring some flowers to an otherwise boring spot. When I got out there, however, I decided I really needed to trim back the daffies (even though all the online stuff says not to do so until they're no longer green). I mean, the ground was solid daffodil leaves.
So I weed and trim daffies and then Jer gets home. We decide to go grab some lunch, but I'm a sweaty, dirty mess, so I have to have a quick shower, first. Jer washed his car while I was finishing up, so he needed a rinse, too. We get cleaned up and go grab some food.
After getting back, I reluctantly go back to the yard work. I've convinced myself that, really, the appropriate solution is to dig up all the daffodils because there are just so many. I wouldn't have been able to plant the daisies without hitting bulbs, otherwise. But it's a lot of daffies. A lot. Looking at the area, there's kind of a row of daffies right near the fence, and then some farther out, closer to the edge of the bed. I decided I'd dig up the front ones and leave the rear ones. This took me pretty much all afternoon. And then I planted the daisies. They still looked pretty miserable, even though I watered them a lot. I hope they perk up. I now have a mountain of daffodil bulbs that I don't know what to do with. This is a mere fraction of all the daffies I have, so I do not need to keep them or plant them around. I need to give them to willing victims. Speak up if you want some. Or all.
Anyway, I didn't get a before picture, but at the back is maybe a third of what was there when I started, so use your imagination. I hope the daisies make it and proliferate, but they can take their time. I don't need a daisy infestation like I have a daffodil infestation.
We then got cleaned up and grilled up some chicken on the grill. Yum. It was a dirty, sweaty weekend and I think I took 6 showers. :)
My mother died 5 years ago this weekend and digging up the daffodils made me think of her and how she would totally have replanted every. single. one. of the bulbs around the property. Because she was even crazier than I, believe it or not. Well, with regards to some things, anyway.
I hope everyone had a good memorial day weekend.
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