Yard work.

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I can work. I had a great deal of difficulty doing yardwork in Iowa. It was not just the heat and humidity. Though that did play a part. I was in pretty rough shape. I was able to work this evening almost without effort. I did some mowing and some weed whipping. A storm blew in though and that was pretty much it. Still, the sweet taste of success in knowing that I can work is great. Not only that, but I enjoyed it. Not like, say, a computer game. But knowing that my yard was becoming a real yard and not just a wild land, a feral lawn, was simply good.

Tomatoes are coming on in larger numbers. About the time my mother showed up, the plants really took off. Now I have a half dozen to a dozen tomatoes going and perhaps a half a dozen jalapenos. I realize now that what I had thought was green peppers is jalapenos. I will have some hot salsa soon! We took care of the east side and the front of the house. I have gone through 2 weed whip cords. I have 3 left, so those are on the list for tomorrow. Many more will be needed. Both the lawnmower and weed whip are doing all I could have hoped. Hopefully I will be able to find a wheelbarrow tomorrow for a few heavier jobs. Hmmm, I best get another shovel, the slim spade will not do for some of the dirt moving needed. So much is required just to do the standard work around a home!

Tomorrow cardboard will be taken in, breakfast will be eaten, shopping will be done, and then we will return home. A lunch of some sort, a nap very possibly, and then another evening on the yard. I am amazed at what is being done, by both of us. I have never understood my mother, and never could quite keep up (or even close) let alone keep up with normals. I am, finally, about a normal person. At least in capacity with some direction. I am learning many things from her. For example, some of the trees (evergreens in the well cooked front yard) are being watered. I was not sure whether to do that or not. There are many other things I have asked, and quite usually she knows.

No, a woman cannot claim to be equal. She can prove, however, that she is better... if in her ways. And, she is in this area. The good news is I have the time, opportunity, and interest in trying to catch up. Perhaps even surpass. There are things I can do she would need to hire out... potentially. A chainsaw, a ladder, and a little bit of thinking should see me clear to removing dead branches high in the trees. I even have some climbing gear and various rope for safety and controlled ascent of both myself and limbs. We will see though. But knowledge... for me to hope to catch up it will take... many many years. Yes, she may not be equal, but she may be superior. And, no, this is not a new thought... it is merely that no one who doubted asked the right question.

I must admit, I cannot feel the water as softer. I may not have it set to the right grains or perhaps it was not as hard as all that? I simply do not know. I can, however, taste it. The reverse osmosis water itself only tasted slightly different. The water, when softened, now tastes much better. I do not understand all that, but that is fine too.

Oh, after clearing the east side of the house, I realize I have a fine strip of land there for gardening. I will have to remove some smaller boulders and rocks, and I will be planting a tree over there as well which in time may limit that. But next year I have a great place to plant a ton of tobacco plants. I have two areas in the back lined up for various gardening needs. In one area I will plant things that are more or less static plants, in the other I will have more area demanding things, such as cucumbers, squash, or even pumpkins or watermelon. My mother suggests that I till the ground this fall, before frost hits, mixing in a general local fertilizer mix, in preparation for spring. She wants to visit about planting time to help me get going with that and, I think, to visit. As well, she enjoys having time apart from the world as she has known it for many years now. Both of her sons need her. And again, she is there. There is nothing more gratifying for a mother than to help her sons, one dealing with a severe disability and one trying and maybe succeeding in coming out of disability. Next time though, there will be no heavy work here. Just advising. I am different and getting better.

I have decided to contact whoever about medical training. First aid and then first responders. With that, I will volunteer locally. I would like to limit it to less severe things, but it does not work that way. I need these skills and want the equipment. There is no better of a way and reason to both gain and upgrade skills and equipment than to have a need to do so. And, so it will be. I flew this by my mother to good results. Yes, gearing up, learning, and helping. I am almost breathing again.

Well, good night. It is time to put the body down and rest well and deservedly. A long week it has been and more is yet to be done. Good night all.