Poison Ivy - 2; Graeff's - 0.

I was doing something this past holiday weekend. No - not at the shore, or camping, or chilling; I spent two whole days - clearing. It was actually pretty fun because we purchased a super-charged weed wacker to try to tackle the wildlands that surround our new house. The grass was waist high - and the underbrush - formitable. I am a novice with this type of foe - my previous yard was fairly tame. M hit the grass - mowing - for 5 hours straight. I took on the edges. The moisture in those weeds was flying everywhere - I won eventually - and could see the fence. The rest of the time was spent moving the 15 bush carcasses that we cut down last month to a better location - so M could mow the backyard too.

I though all was well - until Tuesday.

Wow - how uncomfortable is this! I have gotten Poison Ivy before - but I seem to have blocked out the torture. M has it even worse - poor guy. I had to purchase a whole new bottle of Calamine Lotion - and it really doesn't do the job like I wish it would.

This situation wouldn't be bad really - except that we have so much Poison at the new house - the vines are two inches thick up about 15 trees in the backyard and more along the fence. When I first saw it I really didn't think it COULD be poison - it was just so BIG. Oh well... we will look back on this and laugh... right?

(photo above: Poison Ivy - in case you aren't familiar.)

Remember me.

"In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends." -Kozuko Okakura

Just wanted to share a few snapshots of my garden today – what a perfect afternoon! I am still a bit sad about leaving all of my “friends” behind. I just hope the next owner will enjoy and take care of them. For now, I can take their picture so when I look back I will remember this day.