VOOM WENT THE LAWN

That couple weeks of dry weather in April had lulled me into thinking I could get away with not mowing my lawn for just one...more...day.

And then this week's three inches of rain met up with the fertilizer I'd put on the lawn right before the mini-drought began. Voom, as the headline says. From brown to tropical before my eyes. I've got dandelions that look like Land of the Lost props. And now it's raining some more, and Beast is having the dermatologist look at his eczema, and the rest of work beckons, the weekend's booked solid, and...well, the plate's full.

The next post will bring you the latest results of the Great Boogerville Hypermiling Experiment. Watch this space later today!

ALL ARMS, LEGS REMAIN ATTACHED SO FAR

After this weekend's toil, I strongly believe that there is no more manly yard implement than the wood-chipper. In goes the tree, and after some delighfully loud chomping and grinding out shoots itty bitty pieces of former tree. OM NOM NOM NOM NOM. The kids have been spellbound, especially since they'll have a bit more back yard to play in once my labors are concluded.

Many thanks to Rhinebeck Rentals for helping me have a productive weekend of pure fun.

And so far no ticks have latched on to my flesh, although I do believe that Her Awesomeness will have to check me later this evening after a glass or two of wine.

IN WHICH DADDY WILL HOPEFULLY NOT MAIM HIMSELF SATURDAY

Postponed twice, the big brush-chipper is being delivered on Saturday, and I get to feed two years' worth of accumulated cut and downed branches into its gaping maw, and perhaps fill in some of the swampy spots in the yard at the same time. The whirling of the blades and spewing of wood chips would probably get a WHOA, FREAKIN' COOL out of Beast if he were but a few years older, but for now the little guy doesn't much care for the loud noises. Perhaps Noodle will like it, but in any case they'll be watching from a distance if at all. Her Awesomeness has disturbing visions of coming back from the park with the kids to find nothing left of me but my leg protruding Buscemi-like from the chipper.