The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

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Posted on July 5, 2011 by jmarkowski Posted in Uncategorized .

I’m staring at my gnarly, permanently dirty fingers as I type this and it is a great reminder of this past weekend. Most human beings wouldn’t tell you that they had a great time weeding for hours on end during their 4th of July weekend, but I am fully aware that I am the exception.

While my wife and I yanked out weeds that could feed an entire family, the kids played outside and braved the heat. We were all together, albeit in a sort of dysfunctional way.

It’s amazing how a small pool can occupy children for hours but more amazingly, that my two kids could survive each other’s company for that long. Every once in a while I joined them in the pool just to pretend to be a good and sensitive dad:

My daughter did request numerous bug removals from the pool and I couldn’t resist her newly toothless grin:

Even after pool time, the kids played together which only increased our ability to tackle more and more weeds:

I considered posting a bunch of our weed removal photos, even a few “before and afters”, but upon further review, they were really boring looking. Just know that my wife and I were cramping up in bed each night and that it looks damn good in most of the garden beds … for now.

Instead of weed photos, here are some photos of one of my perennial beds that is now coming to life:

It wouldn’t have been a summer weekend without a few hot air balloons overhead:

It also wouldn’t have been a summer weekend without a walk across the bridge into Pennsylvania to our favorite ice cream joint:

By the time Monday night arrived we were spent, so we just rested our weary legs and watched the fireworks from our back deck and gasped at the beautiful color of the sky:

Hope you had a great weekend as well.
John 

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19 Comments
« A little bit of everything out in the garden
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19 Responses

  1. texwisgirl says
    July 5, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    glad you had a great time. even if your body is telling you differently…

  2. Jill says
    July 5, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Your kids are darling. Congratulations on this round of the war on weeds.

  3. Linda says
    July 5, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    We spent this hot, hot weekend on the war on weeds too! Your kids are darlings!!

  4. Diana says
    July 5, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    Smiling from your post: cramping, tired, weeding, beautiful children and smile… all in a day’s work. 🙂

  5. Kyna says
    July 5, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Just so you know, I really think what you and your wife do in bed at night is none of our business.

    Glad you had a great weekend. Nice pics 🙂

  6. Anonymous says
    July 5, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    Love Dillys!!

  7. Gardens at Waters East says
    July 5, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    Enjoyed your posting as always. Addiction to ice cream is my thing, so I could relate to your walk across the bridge. Jack

  8. Katherine says
    July 5, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    When I read your first line, I had to look down at my own hands… yep, gnarly and permanently dirty. 🙂 Sounds like a perfect weekend!

  9. ❀ⒹⒺⒺ❀ says
    July 5, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    Too cute!
    Great beds you have there. Mine are just taking off after all the rain we had this spring.

    I loved seeing the hot air balloon.

    Dee

  10. Manure Tea Soil Conditioner says
    July 5, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Love the virtual garden walk and that sunset Wow!

  11. Kathryn/plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com says
    July 5, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Clearly you are a proud papa, whether of your adorable children or your lovely perennial beds. And you apparently have a great helpmate. Well done!

  12. Erin says
    July 5, 2011 at 9:33 pm

    I am a wanna be gardner! I love growing herbs, veggies, flowers…Your blog is beautiful and I hope to learn some things here! Following you now.
    Erin
    http://mynuggetsoftruth.blogspot.com/

  13. Kristin says
    July 5, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    I had the same weekend weeding my own garden for a change. It was lovely! Now it’s time to sit back and relax for five minutes. Great garden photos, looks lovely!

  14. Lois Evensen says
    July 5, 2011 at 11:45 pm

    Your family and your garden are beautiful.

  15. Debbie says
    July 6, 2011 at 12:35 am

    great pictures of the kiddo’s…..

    big fan here of the hot air balloon rides….if you have never done it, you must!!!!

  16. Landscaping_Katy says
    July 6, 2011 at 7:13 am

    I don’t think I’d use “dysfunctional” to describe your family weekend. Very unique instead. Amazing how you were able to harmonize hanging out with the kids while annihilating all those weeds–that’s accomplishing much. Loved that sky over your landscape. And you have a lovely daughter. =)

  17. Sue says
    July 6, 2011 at 8:39 am

    That sounds like a great day. Love those kid pools-more fun than just about anything!

  18. bakingbarb says
    July 6, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Weeding, cramping up, sounds familiar. It is hard to show the truth of gardening, we would much rather show off the results of the hard work – plus it is much prettier! Beautiful sunset.

  19. Poppy Daydreams says
    July 8, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    Looks like you had a great weekend and that sunset is truly beautiful.

Comments are closed.

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