Stihling Hedges

I was up and out of bed by 745am. From bed, I could already see blue skies, and it was supposed to be nice and warm near 80. I made coffee then enjoyed a little quiet time at my PC. I’m thinking that it was near 9am when I set out on a run. It was warm, about 67 degrees. I ran the usual 3 mile weekend route. As I rounded the last bend, I could see Mindy sitting on the deck drinking in the sunshine and presumably sipping coffee. As soon as I was back at home I topped off my coffee and joined her.

Lovely morning! We hung out back for the next hour or so, including me coaxing the pug to join me for a romp around the yard. We loosely discussed the day’s agenda, which for Mindy would include a trip to the grocery store. I wanted to take care of a few more yard chores like chopping back more honey suckle and then using my new gas powered hedge trimmers. I asked for Mindy’s help raking out the area by the stream where we’d already cut the honeysuckle back. She agreed. Bella, by the way, remained sleeping until almost noon. Jacob was still in Cincy at his soccer tournament.

Mindy guessed that we’d be getting a call from the boys wanting to come over. Completely skipping breakfast, we started our yard work around 1030am. While Mindy raked, I chopped back the enormous honeysuckle bush still somewhat blocking the treehouse with the chain saw. I didn’t take off much more in height, but instead, cut back the long draping branches, some as long as 10’. As usual, looked like a whole lot more on the ground than on the bush.

I spent about 15 minutes sawing and another hour chopping and stacking all the cuttings onto the compost pile. Took some doing. I headed up to check on Mindy when I finished. By then she had a tarp full of debris she raked from along the stream. And wow, did it look better! While she finished, I put my new hedge trimmers to work, not only going over what I had cut with the electric trimmers the week before but then all the burning bushes east and west and then the thorny barberry bushes out front. By the time I wrapped up with the hedge trimmers my stomach was growling for some food. Feeling weak, we both headed in for some food, and opted for mostly unhealthy fare: leftover pizza and sub. By then Bella was finally up and downstairs. Bella gave us a little crap for not going to CBC for brunch, which is something we talked about doing as recent as Saturday evening. During lunch, the boys called asking if they could come over just as we predicted they would. We agreed but asked that they give us an hour or so to finish out yard chores. After stuffing myself with leftovers, we headed back out to finish what we started. We enlisted Bella’s help, too. I gave her my better garden gloves and took a beater pair for myself.

We drug the tarp full of rakings to the compost pile and dumped it all. Tough work!! I then took the empty tarp around the yard picking up the new hedge trimmer trimmings. Bella’s help was somewhat aloof. She actually spent more time playing in the pond, though Mindy had her fishing some trash out, too. She and Mindy headed in while I finished up outside and put my tools away. The boys showed up while I was putting the finishing touches on the yard work. Landon gleefully helped me carry the last of the debris to the compost pile and then helped put away the lawn tools. He asked for a tractor ride but I had to decline for having the blades removed. Next time!

Mindy and Bella soon departed for Justice and the grocery leaving me at home alone with the boys. They asked if they could shoot the BB gun. Yes, but only with my supervision. They both followed my instructions carefully, and Rocky was a one heck of a shot, hitting almost every target he aimed at. Landon, on the other hand, struggled. His arms just aren’t long enough to reach the trigger with the butt of the rifle in the crotch of his arm and shoulder. As a consequence, his aim was always at least 20 degrees too high. Funny! I let them shoot for about 30 minutes until they bored of it.

In the garage, they asked if they could ride scooters. Sure. And while they did that, I fired up my blower and blew the leaves out of the garage as well as from the front flower beds. The boys soon bolted for Evan’s house after seeing him arrive home with Mike. By then I was tired and dirty. I headed in for a much deserved shower. Ahh, felt terrific. Downstairs and alone, I tuned the TV to The Masters on CBS. Prior to that, I hadn’t seen even on shot of the tournament. I was quickly fixated on the tournament, watching a young 20 year old open up a 3 shot lead but only to squander it over a span of about 20 minutes. Too bad. I got a little nappy and allowed myself to slip blissfully off to sleep, but only for a few minutes.

I woke when I heard my phone. It was Mindy requesting that I be ready to help carry in groceries. Maybe 20-30 minutes before Mindy got home, Jimaken dropped off Jacob. I didn’t even see Jacob. He went right to his room and to bed. Jimaken poked his head in the family room to say hello.

Jacob got up to help his mother and I carry in groceries. Just before she got home, I heard another tap at the front door, only to find Lindsey getting back into her car. She must’ve found the boys at the O’Connell’s, where they’d been playing for the last hour or so. Even though Mindy picked up some meat for grilling, Jacob asked if we could do dinner at Barley’s instead. I was indifferent and my hunger still satiated from eating all the leftovers earlier.

Mindy asked me again 30 minutes later. I soon agreed to dinner at Barley’s. More than anything, a beer or two sounded really good. We left for Barley’s around 615pm. Not much of a crowd at all. We opted for one of the two community tables. Justin was working and traded with Steve to be our server. Justin isn’t long for Barley’s. After 7 years, he’s finally moving on in about 45 days. Moving back home to the Pittsburgh area and going back to school. We’ll miss him.

I enjoyed a guest stout for my first beer while Mindy opted for a flight of five. Sunday is $.60 wing day at Barley’s. I ordered 10 K.C. and 10 Texas. Jacob & Bella went with their usuals: chicken tenders and smothered fries respectively. Mindy ordered muscles. For my second beer, I ordered a Centennial. Yum! Quite good. I couldn’t eat but about 8 or 9 wings. Asked for a take home box. Justin shared that the owner frowns on customers asking for take-home boxes on wing day since the price is supposed to be for dine-in only. We simply laughed it off. If Lenny wants to play that way then we’ll start buying those damn 50% off cards, which to date I’ve refrained from since I recognize their purpose is really to attract new business. Mindy covered the check.

We headed for home near 745pm. Spent a little time online and then watching TV. We headed to bed early where we continued watching the Cosmos. For the first time all year, it was a tad too warm in our room despite having the window opened and the ceiling fan going. Despite the discomfort, I fell asleep but not for long. I woke within an hour and despite feeling tired I was also wired. Couldn’t sleep. I got up and headed back downstairs to watch more TV. Once I started to dose off I headed back to bed. Back in bed, once again I couldn’t sleep. Ugh! Not one to enjoy tossing and turning from bed, I promptly headed back downstairs for round two. I played around online for maybe 45 min. It was 1130pm when I headed back to bed for try number 3. This time I fell asleep for good.