Thistle Forest: A Story of Clearcutting and Murphy's Law

As careful readers have concluded, Lazy Gnome prefers to lounge rather than to work in the garden. The whole idea of having the landscaping re-done was in large part intended to escape repeating long summer afternoons of pulling weeds in the back forty, an activity that only intensifies LG's dislike for yardwork.

During the period of waiting, it has become evident that LG cannot ignore scenes such as the Dark Thistle Forest on the excuse that the landscapers will take it away when they come. No, some of these plants are as high as LG's chin and are budding out, and it is not possible to claim ignorance of their existence.

With a sigh, LG commenced the planning of removing this patch and another where the carport once stood. However, ever the procrastinator, LG waited until the day after good rainfalls--of which there have been many this last month--which made it much easier to simply pull the evil green prickly things up, root and all. And the work did go relatively easily. Of course, LG did not try to do both sections at once; the work was spread over a week and, ever so nicely, Mother Nature cooperated. The forest in the photo was pulled down July 1--a little Canada Day project.

Now, while there are several honourable reasons for undertaking a project of this size and general icky-ness, LG had another motivation. LG's heritage, going way back, is Irish, and she bows to some of the supersititions common to that gene pool, and this case was no different. She even said to someone, "you know, no doubt as soon as I get all this thistle taken out and the place looking half-decent, the landscapers will probably show up!" LG applies this Murphy's Law type of logic a lot in her life. And, well, guess what: It WORKED!!

Yes, the very next day, the landscaper gave a date in the near future as the estimated date of starting the work--weather dependent, of course. (Note the hesitancy to mention this, and the refusal to provide the date: more superstition, of course, but you use what you got!!)

So, more news soon~~

Th wish is father to the thought. ~~ Derived from Shakespeare's Henry IV.