My turn: Take pride in your yard

My grandmother's yard was a fantasy land to me when I was little girl. My sister and I played there for hours and hours while Nana went about her happy task of fighting off dandelions and tending the flowers.

We baked the greatest variety of mud pies on the back patio. We bravely jumped from island to island in the rock garden, squealing with terror if we didn't quite make it. There were fierce, imaginary alligators lurking everywhere. We ate strawberries from the shady beds, and we did it all with the soft scent of roses ever present.

Many family meals were eaten in that backyard … lots of homemade ice cream under the shade trees.

Forty years have taken a toll on that peaceful place. You'd never know how beautiful it once was if you drove by today. The house changes hands occasionally. I always hope for a renaissance.

It's hard work to maintain a beautiful yard. Even xeriscaping calls for constant weeding and pruning. So many of you do it so well. By the sweat of your own brow, or through the generosity of your checkbook, you give us lovely venues as we go about our days. For this, I thank you. And I'll keep after my own weeds while I pray for rain.

Sandy keeps an online journal at her website www.field-days.com. E-mail her at [email protected].