Pretty sure I could begin every post in the month of April and May with “today I did yardwork.” Except for today… it rained last night so now it’s too wet. I’m thrilled about that because I need a break.
My landscaping crew needed a break also.
Pear trees to boxwood shrubs to thorny bushes…
In the early 2000’s, there were 3 pear trees planted at the Villa. Large when purchased, they arrived on a semi trailer. I can’t remember the name of them (they weren’t Bradford or Cleveland) — and I don’t recall them stinking. And at the time, there wasn’t talk about how invasive Callery pear trees are or that they disrupt nature. They were beautiful in the spring and again in the fall.
They lasted about 10-years until one spring season of storms wiped out all 3. Of course, I’m done with those.
Next came boxwood shrubs…
The Seymour house had boxwood shrubs on every single side. Trimming them — and cleaning up the debris afterward — was AWFUL. Some were already allowed to grow too large and cutting them back too much would leave sticks instead of green. I’ll NEVER have those suckers again either.
And now I’m plagued by thorny bushes that rip flesh from my arms and legs.
Mowing next to a wooded area is hazardous. Getting close to the edge of a tree line means thorny vines will reach out to grab body parts. Cutting them back doesn’t help because they grow like wild fire. They’re just a part of rural living I have to deal with.
Unlike pear trees and boxwood shrubs that you can get rid of — those those thorny vines are there to stay.
Now you know: Researchers have found almost 10% of U.S. adults ages 65 and older have dementia, while another 22% have mild cognitive impairment.