Our yard is definitely not on the "Well Kept" list in the neighborhood. (Maybe they don't keep a list, I don't know) In fact, it is always in need of LOTS of work. When we moved in six years ago, Steve did so much work pulling out and cutting back trees that it seemed we would never need to do another thing again.
Every year I make new excuses to my friends and family as to why our yard is so out of control. "The weather has been terrible this year. There haven't been any good days to go out." "Things are so overgrown, I don't really even know where to start." This year my excuse (okay, this year was legitimate) was "I just haven't felt well." However, unless someone comes to my house, I never really think much about it. I love our yard. I love the trees and all the chipmunks, rabbits, squirrels, birds, and insects that make it their home. I secretly take pride in not conforming to the perfect yard idea that many of my neighbors hold . But,the problem is, once visitors come or plan to come, I go into a panic, feeling like I am not fullfilling my homeowner responsibilities. I then get embarrassed and wonder why I haven' committed a day a week to yard work.
When I sit in the backyard in the swing, I do have dreams of things I would like to do in the backyard: a little pond, lots of different plants,a pathway, cute chairs, etc. However, I don't feel that my mind has worked it all out and that is another reason I am not putting the effort out yet. I know when the time comes to devote to the life I would like to give our yard, I will devote all the time necessary. Until then, I am going to just enjoy watching what the life that is already there feels like doing.
We we had our house, we let about half of the back yard go back to nature, because WE liked it that way. We had it designated as a "Backyard Nature Preserve" by the National Wildlife Federation. Our neighbors definitely did not like it. They filed complaints with the county, who sent us a letter stating that we would be fined if we did not control the "litter" in our yard. What? There was no litter, just vines, trees, high grass, wildflowers.
ReplyDeleteSo, I documented the many different species of flowers, birds, and insects that lived there, and sent a letter back with all my documentation, plus a copy of the certificate from the NWF, and guess what? They backed down. It just proves how one persons "jungle of ugly weeds" is another persons idea of the perfect yard.
Your yard is amazing! I love the trees and the swing and the jungle gym for the kids! Wow! I have the same set up in our front yard for the grandkids. I don't care what anyone thinks, I like the idea I can see them and hear them through the screen door. We too moved away from family and friends from Arizona to Washington state. I'd love to know more about the Chi video and will check that area next!
ReplyDeleteI just realized that in all the times we have been to your house I have never seen your back yard. Now I know what you're hiding! Just kidding -- it looks great to me. Our back yard kind of stresses me out too sometimes. So I just ignore it :)
ReplyDeleteI think your backyard looks fine! It looks like fun! Ours is a blacktop parking lot.
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