I find beauty in rocks…up to a point.
After several days of raking, digging, dumping and then finding even more rocks, they have lost their appeal. Right now, the swath of dirt that is my front yard has lots of piles like this one. I’ve resorted to dumping them in the woods.
Rocks are heavy, I might add.
A view of the front yard. This expanse of dirt also curves around the house and up to the septic tank:
Occasionally, I see some hardy tufts of grass. (Maybe a miracle will occur overnight and this grass will multiply!)
But mostly, I see dirt. And rocks. And more where that came from.
This is what’s left of my dear Weeping Willow. This photo is deceiving because the trunk is really massive.
Oh, yes, let’s add wood chips to the mess in the front yard and on the driveway.
And tire treads.
I have no idea how I am going to level all this and get it seeded, but I will. And I’ve finally managed to persuade Don to pitch in. I feel more of a sense of urgency than he does since I will be leaving for Hartford three weeks from today.
The garden? I haven’t even begun to start cleaning it up.
The weather has been glorious. Yesterday it was in the 70’s here and beautiful. And I take heart when I see signs of spring.
New growth on a rose bush.
A tulip showing its new leaves.
But I still can’t get used to this empty space in front of the house.
There should be a big old weeping willow shading the porch, hiding us from the traffic on the road, branches moving gracefully in the breeze.
Ah well. More rock work is on the docket for today.
The winner of a copy of The Dispatcher is comment number 18 – Zooperson. I don’t have your email address so please send me an email with your shipping address and I will forward it on to TLC Book Reviews.
A new scarf is in the Etsy shop in that shade of springy green. And there will be another one listed tomorrow in a lovely shade of taupe.
Have a wonderful Monday.
Claudia, I can only imagine how you mourn the loss of that Willow.
The good news to all this hard work: there is no need for a gym membership, is there? ;)
I can’t wait to see what you do w/the yard and all of that sunny space. . . . it’ll be just perfect!
That sure is alot of work. I can see how that tree sheltered you. Try planting 2 or three spruce or pine trees. They grow really fast. And you could put white lights on thm at Christmas, hah.
Don’t overdo. You will need a break by the time you do all this.
Well,now. That large yard puts the garden work I need to do in perspective. I noticed a note of determination in your words, Claudia, and you strike me as the kind of woman who, with time, will make something beautiful of the yard. Any chance you can pull a “Tom Sawyer” and rally some troops to help?
-Karen
Looking at the blank space must be like a hole in your heart. Although it can’t be mended, maybe one day it will heal slightly. Could you put a small raised rock garden bed there, and utilize all of the rocks.
When I was young we had a bare acre of land, I picked rocks all summer so they could plant grass all over…
But according to my sister it was her that did the rock picking. So I can sympathize, there are times when you say, if I see one more rock.
Keep your fingers crossed maybe the grass fairy will drop by.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Heck, I wish you could send those wood chips and rocks my way! I want to get rid of my grass. You can have it all! Sure wish we could trade…
Brenda
Just think how fit and slim you will be after moving all those rocks and getting the lawn re-seeded. You go girl!
We lost a big willow several years ago but I did plant a replacement one and it has quickly filled in. Of course, we don’t have a septic tank to deal with and I know that can be an issue.
Looks like you have made pretty good progress on the rocks! Good for you…BIG job. Hope the hubby helps a lot! xo Diana
WOW! You really have your work cut out for you! Please bbe careful out there. I am glad that Don is helping. That should make it go a little faster. Too bad that you can’t give the rocks, etc away. Pick your own kind of thing. People want them they can pick them. But as rocky as your yard is everyone probably has enough of their own.
After several trees were destroyed in my yard, I spent years fighting the yard devastation. I could not get the weeds under control. I finally got professional help with some of it. I feel your pain! ~ Maureen
Think of it as a blank canvas, Claudia… despite the hard work (and the loss you still feel) it’s there for you to make a new landscape. And I’m sure you’ll come up with something wonderful!
Claudia, Your view should be more open with the tree gone. Maybe you could plant another type of tree in it’s place…well not the same spot. I plant draft trees, so I can enjoy them.Don’t be sad. Smiles, Susie(She Junks)
I am such a tree person, it still makes me sad for you that you had to lose that tree. :-( So often, in our area, some beautiful mature trees get destroyed by a wind storm, leaving the once beautiful yards looking barren. I always encourage people to replant. There must be something that doesn’t have quite the massive root system as a willow? I hope you can put something in its place that you will enjoy from that lovely porch!
When we moved to our country house 20 years ago, we inherited a 2 acre lot full of rocks, weeds, mud and old cedars. We levelled seeded and landscaped the whole thing ouselves over the course of 2summers!
This is nothing; you can do it!!!
S
xo
Waking up and looking out of the windows, is, I imagine, akin to remembering all over again what a wonderful tree you have lost. Hugs x
My goodness that is a big ole mess dear Claudia. I hope you get is seeded and grass going then you can relax about it and enjoy the yard a bit more.
I certainly don’t envy you with moving the rocks…that is definitely heavy work! It has been so nice here too but other things inside the house prevents me from doing any outside work…yet. But, I am seriously thinking about it…..hard.~Hugs, Patti
Ah -so this is Claudia’s next installment of Thrifty Living. There’s no need to waste money on a gym membership, just mine your yard. Your post reminded me of my Grandpa. He was a farmer and had one of those rock sleds. They’d follow the horse in the field and throw the rocks on the sled he was pulling.
I hope you find a new tree for your yard. My favourite is my pink magnolia. Beautiful pink cups of bloom in the spring and lovely leathery leaves that hide the view of the neighbours…
Maybe a rock fireplace for the dollhouse? When life gives you rocks…
Claudia, you are one brave woman! You must be developing massive muscles too : )
We went through this once and had a huge pile of stones…we decided to use them to create our garden pathways instead of buying some more at Home Depot. They may not have been as pretty to start, but once the moss grew in they looked pretty good. That is a happy “rocks in your yard” story…I wish for a happy ending for you too : )
Hugs,
Terri
Claudia I feel for you…I would imagine you feel a little ‘naked’ with the old weeping willow gone. I guess the one good thing is that when ever you do get the ‘lawn’ area seeded that it should grow a lot thicker than when the tree was there. I know it will look wonderful when you’re done with it. Have a great week.
Maura :)
Wow, that gives a new meaning to rocky soil. It sounds like really tedious and hard work. Our soil is clay based and digging in it can be just like digging in a solid slab of rock. I definitely think you need some help. Glad to see that you are seeing some sign of spring.
Hugs,
Laura
I’m just like you, missing the trees we had to remove a year ago – I love trees so much however once they become dangerous near the house they had to go. We now have beautiful grass with more sun – and thanks to Bob’s reseeding efforts last Fall. He did better than the pro guy we’ve had for years! Yesterday he mowed as we’re leaving tomorrow – this morning it’s a picture of deep brilliant green and I’m loving it. Sorry you have so much work ahead – I think you need to hire a chain gang to help with all those rocks dear!
Be careful – do a little at a time – and remember to stop and smell the roses once they bloom. Good luck in Hartford.
Hugs – Mary