Thoughts on Weeds and Weeding

Saturday I spent about 2 hours outside weeding the flower beds and trimming the Russian Olive bushes that were growing all wonky. Weeding here on the beach is fairly easy: everything grows in sand so you can grab it and go. But there was just so much of it! That’s what I get for not weeding in, oh, I don’t know, 4 months?!

Then came the pruning. I like to prune using nippers so I can touch each limb and have an understanding of the impact of the chop. Since the surgery, I don’t have the arm strength or stamina for all that work, so Chip felt inclined to bust out the electric trimmers. Needless to say, he hacked everything to bits and now we have holes in things. Unfortunate, but not my “monkey.”  (this is my goal- to get the monkeys off of my back)

He and I tackled all kinds of outdoor chores with the ever-watchful eye of his mother, from her wheelchair, barking out orders letting us know what we missed. “That branch, right there, no the other one. No, the other one. It’s too high. It’s sticking out. Not that one!” URGH. I must revert back to a previous post so I avoid redundancy.

http://colleensobxblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/open-letter-to-landscaping-observer.html 

On to weeds. Weeds are a funny thing. Sometimes they are interesting to look at – various colors and designs. Sometimes they are a pain in your feet, like sand spurs (hate them!) or cacti. All in all, some I think are really interesting & hearty. This afternoon I was driving in Manteo and had to pull over to take a look at this big vine that was smothering a tree. When I got closer, I was SHOCKED. 

First of all, it smelled like pure sugar when I approached. I wish we had some smell-o-vision as it really took me by surprise. I took these pictures with my cell phone and could kick myself for not having my camera and a better working knowledge of how to take good pictures!

This weed, growing rampant and choking the life out of the tree it was using to find light, is spectacular. Nature! I mean, REALLY! The more I look at this more more perplexed I become. It’s so technical. So elaborate.

We spend an enormous amount of money on landscaping plants, and THIS can be found in a ditch near your home. It’s just blowing my mind.

 

Having said that, it’s probably poisonous, or endangered.

Do I have Benadryl at home? CHECK!

Did I wash my hands? CHECK!

Did I try to taste it? Not so much.

I guess I’m OK, unless one of my readers works for the park service or USDA or whatever firm is in charge of weeds growing wild on the side of the road. If this is you, please disregard this post. TY.