Decimation in the backyard--it's a good thing!

I have certain strong feelings about landscaping, some that have been with me since I was a kid. The first time you're running around the neighborhood, playing cops and robbers, or tag, or football, and you run headlong into a barberry bush, you immediately make a value judgment: they should all die.

What brilliant mind thought that the general public should easily be able to litter the landscape with bushes featuring tiny, purple leaves and PRICKERS on them? Somebody with a sick mind, that's who. First off, why the purple? I'm not a fan of the purple foliage. And secondly: PRICKERS? The way I look at it is that if you have a plant with prickers on your property, there better be something to eat on it.

The previous owners decided this little island of land would be better with a legion of these vile bushes. They've been sticking in my craw from day one. I've taken one of the cursed things out, and today, it was time to tackle another one.

That's some back breaking work--and I still don't quite have the stump out. Dynamite crossed my mind, but I thought the neighbors might not approve. Nope, it's going to be nothing more than sweat equity to get that sucker out. But it's ALL WORTH IT! When it's all done, there will be rejoicing in the streets, I assure you.


I just had to share this poor quality, cellphone-produced photographic evidence with the world. And you can see the next target on my list just beyond where this puppy used to squat. Dead man walking.


Oh, a little AC update. The guy showed up today at around 6:00. I was pretty pumped, as you can imagine. I gave him a little piece of information though, telling him that due to the storms this afternoon, the power was out. He gave me a little piece of information in return: he couldn't do anything without power.



Bugger.