I need to do a third mowing but I don't have the heart to decapitate my wild violets. They are considered to be a broad leaf weed by some, but not me!!!!
I love both varieties. These are solid purple.
These are white with purple pansy-like faces.
Grape hyacinths, crowded out by long grass, but still gorgeous.
A view of my living room as seen from my kitchen. French doors on either side of the sofa lead to my balcony that was power washed on Saturday. I cannot believe how controlling I am when I hire outside help. The workers did a fabulous job at the house I am getting ready to list but they didn't bring those skills to my cottage. WHY? But in the end, my balcony floor looks much better and my red barn garage looks brand new. So all is well I suppose. I am actually so much happier doing things myself. I am a hard taskmaster when I hire things out and I can usually work circles around almost any worker.
Now if I only had a chain saw and a power washer of my very own. 😂
18 comments:
My husband had a cranky, old aunt who's favorite grumbled saying was, "If you want a good job, you have to do it yourself." Please don't take that the wrong way in your case as I know exactly what you mean because I resist giving anybody else instructions to do something I want done. I would much rather do the job myself, the same as you would.
They do make light-weight chainsaws that would probably do any trimming, etc. you might want. Also, why not buy yourself a power washer? You do so much upkeep on your place and keep things looking so good that you would no doubt get your money's worth out of it.
Mama Pea -- Your husband's aunt was right. Nobody cares as much about your house as you do. I honestly could have done my deck with a hose and a stiff brush as well as the power washer did. But I have to admit there were a few spots on the other side of my iron fencing that I could never have gotten as clean as they did. I don't even bother with landscapers any more. They just don't get it. They operate their mowers so the clippings blow against my cottage instead of away from it. I have spent more time cleaning my house after they leave than I would have if I had mowed myself.
The man and his crew who painted my cottage in 2013 are the only workers I have ever hired who pleased me. They will be my only hire henceforth.
I am afraid of chain saw accidents and I borrowed a power washer once from a friend and decided my hose was just as good. My gutters will need cleaning pretty soon and I can feel another fight coming on!
Thanks for dropping by to leave your comment and suggestions. You and I are made from the same cloth.
xo, Rosemary
Those violets are lovely! I, too, would have trouble mowing them.
Perhaps it's just me but I feel as though a woman living alone is easy prey. When my husband was alive, he took care of home and vehicle maintenance. My jobs centered around bills, meals, laundry, gardening. It was a good system for us. But now that he is gone, I feel as though men do not take me seriously, charge me more, presume I know more and grow impatient. Without the male heft, I feel powerless.
Sorry, Rosemary, kind of off-topic but I'm 74 and haven't your muscle or stamina.
How funny! When I had my big historic home, those were the two items I wanted for myself. I did buy a smaller power washer but I wasn't thrilled with it - better to hire someone for that. I had a large pair of secateurs that worked well but also wished I had my own chain saw! As I get older, I wish for different, more practical things...oh, well!
I, too, love wild violets! One of my precious friends battled all out war against them in her yard. I told her to leave them alone until I transplanted all of them that I could to put in pots and as groundcover in some of my beds. Love them! Also love my lightweight electric chainsaw! It's great. Oh, and your living room is gorgeous!
Oh the bouquets of violets and dandelions I picked as a child to give to my mother. One woman's weed is another's flower. Sweet memories, though now I do prefer violets dotting the lawn to dandelions.
Did I misunderstand the "getting ready to list" meaning you are going to sell?
geoedw -- I am preparing someone else's house to sell, not mine! But it has inspired me to do some overdue tasks at my own cottage. xo, Rosemary
Lisa -- I had to pull up a few yellow dandelions before taking the photo of my lawn. I'm with you, not fond of those yellow weeds. Not at all. I am sure your mother was thrilled by your hand-picked bouquets!
xo, Rosemary
Claire -- The trees I need to deal with are too far away for an electric cord but your electric chainsaw sounds lovely. I cannot believe you transplanted a lawn full of violets for ground cover. It must be lovesly. Thanks for your kind words about my living room. xo, Rosemary
SuSu -- You're right. As we age, our wishes change. I am sure there were many things to wish for when owning a large historic home. I cleaned out my bunker full of gardening tools and didn't throw out a single one. I cleaned and organized them, vacuumed out the room, aired it out with an electric fan and it is a joy to behold after 14 years neglect. Slowly but surely, I am getting things done this year.
xo, Rosemary
Gail, northern California -- Gail, I am sure you are right about getting taken advantage of by workers who size you up and charge you more. Maybe you should look for younger workers who are new to the trade and will work hard to please you. Maybe you could find one handyman who could do everything for you on a regular basis. If you find someone who does a good job cleaning your gutters, maybe he has other skills too. It never hurts to ask. Spring is a good time to start looking.
xo, Rosemary
Linda Sand.---My grass is getting longer and longer but the violets prevail.
xo, Rosemary
Thank you, Rosemary. Good idea. I have a fellow you comes to my rescue periodically but he works full-time in construction. With legalization of marijuana in California, lately their crews have been building huge buildings for the year-round production of medical marijuana. I have to catch him on the fly nowadays but he's a wonderful worker and provider for his family. Wish I could have him on retainer. ;-)
Rosemary, I, too, find it difficult to relinquish jobs I have long managed. A couple weeks back, two wonderful men, actually father and son, painted our staircase and ceiling and hand washed the interior painted wood on the screened porch. Their work was perfection. Most happy now.
If only we lived down the road . . . we could share a power washer. Please don't buy a chair saw. That would worry me.
Happy Spring cleaning -
oooxxx
Linda
Linda -- Never fear. I would be terrified of a chain saw. I really don't like power tools at all. I know chainsaws are one of the most dangerous of all tools. Your father/son workers were a great find. Do everything you can to keep them. Good workers that please you are a treasure.
Thanks for your concern.
xo, Rosemary
Gail, northern California -- Gail, Tell that good fellow to come over any time he has a breather from his construction job. Keep a list handy so he can tackle the things he can squeeze in on his off time. Maybe he has a fellow worker who can help him.
I have this great idea you should try to implement. Do you attend any Senior functions or support groups in your town? Someone should start a company called WIDOWERS HELPING WIDOWS. You are both in the same boat. There are many widowers out there who are handy with no one to help and there are many widows who need the help they can provide. It could be a win, win business for both parties.
xo, Rosemary
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