Tag Archives: yard work

A Few Blooms, Very Little Order

Posted on August 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

As I was struggling behind my power mower (but so very grateful it started on the second try), I thought I might do a Lawn Order blog post in lieu of my usual Lame Post Friday post (oh, I do love that expression “in lieu of”).  I even started narrating it in my head.  I do that when I am running too (oh, I hope I will run again!) for Running Commentary posts.  For one reason, I had already taken a picture of my Rose of Sharon, which finally bloomed.

Not as many blossoms as other years, but pretty!

During another bout with the lawn, I had battled the wild grape vines which were threatening to overrun the poor bush.  I guess I met with some success, but I must get out and continue the fight.

Lots of Black-Eyed Susans!

While I was out there, I got a wider shot of the Black-Eyed Susans.  They certainly have spread and are thriving.  Before I started mowing this morning I noticed a very few Brown-Eyed Susans up by the deck.  In past years, we have enjoyed many of those, but this year not so much.  For one reason, I left a bunch of leaves from last fall lying around, soggily discouraging things.  On the brighter side, they also discouraged a lot of grass growing, which made my mowing easier.   Of course it is not the most attractive of sights, but I will do what I can to improve it, especially if I ever invite people over.

I mowed around them.

Speaking of people coming over, I think I had better try to get the inside of my house in better shape as well.  But that’s a whole other blog post.

 

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I Blog and I Brag

Posted on August 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Before I succumbed to my propensity to swoon, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead (and I can’t believe I spelled “succumbed” right on the first try), I did a couple of useful things.  I did the dishes, no small feat, but more importantly, I fought the lawn.  The amazing thing was, I started the power mower by myself on the first try. Please do not belittle my accomplishment (you know who you are); this is a big deal.

First I had a go at cutting down the last of the tall growth on my front lawn.  Alas that I did not take a “before” picture, but the “after picture” would not have been so beautiful anyways.  Lots of bending and straightening, ugh!  And all I can think of is the old lady we used to drive by in Rome sometimes when I was a little girl.  She would be outside in her nightgown and robe, bent over, pulling up weeds, and my Dad would whistle at her.  We referred to her as “Dad’s girlfriend.”  I feel certain there is a young family which drives by me and derives similar amusement from the sight of my posterior.  Then again, if I can have any small part in spreading joy, that is not a bad thing.

Lots of blooms!

I put in the picture there to break up the prose, but I took it after I had finished everything.  Since I am putting things out of order, I guess that makes this a Non-Sequitur Sunday as well.  Anyways, after I had clipped and pulled as much as I had a mind to, I got out the lawn mower, topped off the gas, checked the oil, and brought it out front, completely willing to flag down a passer-by and play the old lady widow card.  I primed the engine five times instead of the recommended three.  Imagine my delight when the first pull yielded the desired result.

I did the front lawn, even making an attempt at the side of the house.  The back was not looking so bad, but I had at it anyways.  After mowing, I took the clippers to the invasive wild grapevines.  There I met with less success.  For one reason, I was awfully tired by then.  Still, I was proud of myself for my efforts.  I posed a couple of times, both fists in the air, looking triumphant.  Alas, there were no neighbors or passers-by to see.  So I brag to my blog readers.

I feel certain other people have overcome greater obstacles and accomplished larger triumphs.  I applaud you, of course.  In the meantime, I have over 400 words of a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I think I am doing OK.

 

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A Little Bloom, A Little Blog

Posted on September 8, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

In the interests of once again becoming a daily blogger, I offer a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I swoon with the back of one wrist dramatically poised to the back of my forehead, usually because I do not have a good subject to blog upon today.  If only I had a chaise lounge to swoon upon, my life would be perfect!

Please send me flowers!

I add a picture in hopes of pepping up the post.  These are some brown-eyed susans in my back yard I had meant to take a picture of sooner. These flowers came with no effort on my part, so I appreciate their presence in my back yard.

It’s the little things.

Earlier today I did a little yard work, cutting down some wild grape vines and pricker bushes.  I filled another container for green waste pick-up on Monday (I filled one for last Monday, but it was a holiday so was not picked up)  As I pulled the bin up through the back yard, I saw one little bloom.  I went back to take a picture of it this afternoon, just to include it in the blog post.

I must up my yard work game.  Then again, I must up a lot of my games:  writing, blogging, house cleaning, crochet, etc.  Well one thing at a time. I made a Sunday blog post.  I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Still Tuesday, Still Tired

Posted on August 27, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am having a Tired Tuesday and may be able to make my blog post before it is over.  At least, it may be Wednesday already according to my WordPress timestamp; it is still Tuesday according to, I don’t know, reality?  That’s too all-encompassing.  Let’s say Herkimer, NY time.

Can you do “He loves me, he loves me not” with these?

I throw in a picture to pep things up.  These were my Black-Eyed Susans last August.  I noticed some Brown-Eyed Susans blooming near my back steps yesterday and meant to take a picture.  It is too dark now, but maybe tomorrow.  I spent a couple of ambitious days doing yard work week before last then petered out.  I do not despair of getting back out there, although any real yard and garden plans will have to wait till 2026.

Oh, OK, I’ll try again.

I mentioned this quote in a letter to my sister Diane earlier. It is from the movie Galaxy Quest in case you didn’t know. I think I was lamenting my difficulty writing, but it may have been my difficulty cleaning.  I don’t suppose it is too late, even at my age, to improve at these things.

Substitute my cell phone for the candle.

 

They do say tomorrow is another day.  Of course they also say same shit, different day. I can’t worry about these things now.  I have made some semblance of a blog post.  Now I will try for some semblance of sleep.

 

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With a Little Help from Columbo

Posted on August 19, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I think all I can manage right now is a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  It has been a kind of Scattered Sunday in which I have accidentally gotten a few things done:  a little yard work, a little kitchen cleaning, a little grocery shopping… and a few more chores.  Now I am sitting on my couch, Chromebook on lap, kind of sort of watching, you guessed it, another episode of Columbo on DVD.  Sundays used to be for Snapped, now they are for Columbo.  In the future they may be for something else.

I did just drink some coffee.

Today I told my mother about the Columbo method of cleaning:  I clean for a certain length of time, then I say, “One more thing!”  Sometimes I say it a few times.  I get more done that way.

I paused in typing to watch the end of the episode, when Columbo brings the killer to justice.  I’ll tell you what, I will strive never to commit a crime, because I would hate to be arrested.  They cuff you with your hands behind your back.  With my sinuses?  My nose would be running in an instant (it always runs the most when my hands are full and/or I don’t have a handkerchief).  It would be disgusting.

Now I see I have gone over 200 words with this nonsense.  Perhaps I could get a little more cleaning done, using the Columbo method, of course.

 

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Maybe the Mouse Will Read My Blog

Posted on July 24, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m sure nobody is surprised I am making my Tired Tuesday post early Wednesday morning, least of all me.  After work I did a very few things of use then was too tired to do much else.  How remiss of me. This morning when I went to put on coffee (too lazy to put it on last night), I thought I saw a mouse, screamed and took a step away, and fell on my hip.  It made a loud noise (I am no lightweight), which I hope scared the mouse off the premises.  A stop at the store to purchase mouse traps is in my future.  Yuck!  I hate mice!

Cheerful picture to take my mind off rodents.

I guess this is in the nature of another placeholder post, so I can continue my latest streak of posting every day.  I must begin doing more than going to work, doing a few chores, and going to sleep, so I have something to blog about.  Yesterday I did not even take my morning walk.  I must stop using the hot weather as an excuse:  sweaty adventures are better than no adventures at all.

I get results.

Here is the evidence of some of my earlier adventures in yard work.  I had a few more such adventures last week but I did not blog about them.  I had an idea of using a headline “Lawn 4, Cindy 0,”  but I really have not been keeping track of how many times I fought the lawn and the lawn won.  Perhaps it would be a good idea if I started keeping more journals.  I rarely watch television, so the TV Journal gets little use.  Come to think about it, I do keep a Running Journal (really a Running, Walking, and Other Exercise Journal), but have not updated it since June.  What the hell, me?   These are opportunities for me to write!  Why do I not write?

Well, this morning, I have written over 300 words here.  At least mildly entertaining words, I hope (and I will use a sentence fragment if I so choose, judge me if you would like).  One can only go on from where one is.  Thank you for sharing this time with me.

 

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A Blooming Throwback Thursday

Posted on June 21, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

After another hot, steamy day, I settle down on my couch in front of a fan and hope to make my Thursday blog post.  I think a Throwback Thursday might be fun.  Only I fear I may repeat myself.  Then again, perhaps some readers did not see these pictures the first time or any of the times I threw back to them.  Or they may not mind a re-run.  I can only hope for the best.

Wow! Look at all the grass!

This picture is from June 2017.  Look how subdued the daisies are!  They are not marauders squeezing out the peonies and forget-me-nots.  And Frankentree looks quite small and manageable.

Don’t they look ruthless?

This is a picture from this year, a couple weeks ago when they were still blooming.  It is definitely time to cut down what is left.  I hope to have at it with the clippers this weekend.

Where or where did my irises go?

This is from June 2018.  Did I really have that many irises?  Apparently so.  I had none this year.  Perhaps my mother will thin hers out in the fall and I can get some more bulbs.  I do love irises.

Some more blooms that looked better in years past.

And here is my rhododendron in June 2019.  I had some blooms this year but not as many.  Branches from the pine tree behind it encroached on its space.  Something else to have at with the clippers or perhaps a hack saw.  Nothing like being a little bloodthirsty in my yard work.  There are some wild grapevines and pricker bushes that also need slaying.  It might make a good blog post.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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A Lot of Help from my Family

Posted on June 13, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

A long time ago, my father did the laundry, and my mother marveled that she had been visited by the Laundry Fairy.

“The Laundry Prince,” Dad corrected her in a dignified tone of voice.

Well, the Porch Prince and two Lawn and Deck Princesses visited my house yesterday while I was at work, performing miracles for which I am very grateful.  And a little ashamed, because I feel as a homeowner I ought to be taking care of these things myself.  However, we all need help sometimes, and I am so blessed to have a family that helps me.  After all, I often quote the song,  “I get by with a little help from my friends.”  My family are my best friends!

I do not have before pictures of the porch, but it was in sorry shape.  It was concrete that had been eaten away by erosion, largely because Steve and I never replaced the gutter which the guy took off when he repaired the porch roof after we had just moved in.  One of those things we always meant to get to but really only remembered about when it rained.  I really wanted a wooden porch, and Dad had an idea to use the concrete steps as a base for building one.  My Dad can build or fix anything!

He is amazing!

My sister Cheryl, one of the Lawn and Deck Princesses, sent me pictures.  That was when I realized she was going to do something about Frankentree.  I knew she wanted to, using the chain saw she had recently purchased (and not being one to perpetuate the Mohawk Valley Chainsaw Massacre) (I add for the amusement of my horror-movie loving readers), but I had rather thought she would pick a day when I would be there to help.  She texted, “Too late!”

Who knew it could look like that?

I may have a a before picture of Frankentree.  I guess I will have to give him a new name, since he looks all of a piece now.

This is from 2020.

The tree had only gotten more out of control, with a lot of the lower branches dying off.  The lawn, also, has gotten out of control, largely because I have allowed the daisies and other invaders to grow unchecked.  Mom and Cheryl cleaned out all under and around the tree, as you can see.  They left the daisies, because some blooms remained, but I will be cutting them back soon.  Cheryl suggested that I dig them up and replant them closer to the porch.

My back deck, too, has needed some work.  It was covered with leaves from the tree which gives it so much shade.  My two Princesses performed miracles there, too.

I may actually get to deck sit this year!

My three benefactors were waiting for me when I returned from work.  They showed me everything they had done and offered suggestions for what I should do next.  If only I could think of some way to properly thank them!  They already have plenty of afghans.  Any suggestions?

 

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Lame Old Me

Posted on August 5, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last night I felt too tired to make my Lame Post Friday post, and I am justly served for my laziness, because I have a dreadful headache this morning.  Two lousy glasses of Chardonnay!  I feel most ill-used.  Sorry to bitch about it, but you know how it is.

Pretty!

I looked for a cheerful picture in my Media Library to counteract my whining.  These are my Black-Eyed Susans in August 2017.  The patch does not look nearly as nice this year, but I was happy to get at least some blooms.  I have fallen down dreadfully in the yard and garden department these past few years.  Little by little, I try to improve the situation.

Me, trying to improve the situation.

I used this illustration before with the caption, “Me, hacking away at the overgrowth.”  It amused me so much, I thought I would repeat it for the benefit of anybody that missed it the first time.

Actors at work.

I was looking for a summer activity, so I could also make this a preview of coming attractions.  I found this from when a few members of LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company,  met at Mangia Macrina’s Pizza in Little Falls, NY to run lines for Love’s Labour’s Lost.  I had actually started to go home, but turned around and joined them.  Alas, no LiFT or Shakespeare appear to be in my near future, but theatre is.  And possibly a pizza from Mangia Macrina’s.

OK, one more Shakespeare picture.

 

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Blooms for the Blog!

Posted on May 26, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I looked out my upstairs window a few minutes ago and got a lovely surprise:  my rhododendron is blooming!  It was not when I was outside earlier this week and I thought it was not going to.  Yay!

I love it!

I had just put on sweats and slippers, but I quickly changed the slippers for shoes and went out to take a picture.  I don’t know why I feel the need to take a picture of every bloom ever year, but I do.

It looks like there are more blooms to come.

I backed up and took another shot.  I think the rhododendron has seen better years, but I am happy to see how many flowers there are.

Definitely more blooms here.

Here is a shot from May 2017.  That was a good year.   Does that picture make this a Throwback Thursday Post?   Why not?

A little more recently.

Here is May 2021.  Not bad, but I think 2017 was better.  Still, it’s a lovely tree.  I am glad we have it.  It was already here when we moved in in 2005 (wow, that was a while ago!).

I hope to do more work in the yard, plant more flowers and some vegetables, and of course make more blog posts about it (preview of coming attractions). In the meantime,  I am happy about my rhododendrons.

 

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