Earth Day 2009

I live in Minnesota. Spring in Minnesota has a certain urgency. We have been couped up for a long time. We are bored with our winter hobbies. We want to be outside and we want it all to be done RIGHT now! Compound that stress with the fact that it is Earth Day.

Today is a beautiful day. It is 60 degrees, no wind, and the sun is shining. After a long winter, this makes for an unproductive work day. Although I went to work, and stayed as long as I could possibly endure...my mind was on cleaning up the yard, all with the goal of enjoying a beautiful summer. So I left work a little early, with my mind set.....it is spring and it is Earth Day. As I drive the 50 miles home, I prepare myself mentally for what is in front of me....the discovery of what I left undone last fall, the damage done by our dogs, and the Minnesota winter. My plan.....to clean the yard!

While this may sound easy enough, please take note that my yard is 7 acres large. I love my 7 acres, and I am not complaining about having 7 acres....it was a choice. Although this is a beautiful spring day, cleaning up my 7 acres can easily go from joy to overwhelming in one fell swoop.

I arrive home, prepared for the task at hand. I called my husband on the way, asking that before he go golfing, he remove the snow plow from the 4-wheeler so that I may use it along with the sweeper to sweep the yard clean. Mind you, to me removing the plow must be a fairly easy task, as it is put on and taken off every year.....first mistake. While he agreed to the task without hesitation, he didn't seem to enjoy it and got his golf clothes dusty in the process. Task complete....sweeper and 4 wheeler ready!! This should be a breeze!

Did I mention that it is a 7 acre lot, surrounded by forest?? And Earth Day??

So, this is my plan. I will start my compost heap, because it is Earth Day, and the "right" thing to do. I had already started a 5 gallon pail with vegetable scraps to assist in the compost pile. I read an article on composting. What more could I need to know or do? I must admit that I did consider posting a chart on the kitchen cabinet doors so that everyone would know what to compost and what not to. I recinded this idea. I was afraid that everyone else may hold me to the standards that I may set forth for them.

So off I go, 4 wheeler and lawn sweeper set for motion. Two hours later...there is barely a dent in the yard. Ok, change in plans. Maybe I should take a break and pick up sticks....there are a lot of sticks. Two and a half hours later....hey, what about that leaf blower/vacuum that I felt compelled to buy last year after my daughter told me how easily her neighbors cleaned their yard with one. (Neighbors....not a 7 acre lot, nor in the middle of a forest.)

Ok - leaf blower/vac in hand. I wonder where I put the rest of the parts for this thing? Got 'em. How does this thing go together?? After 15 minutes of struggling, I get it together, although I think something must be backwards. But, off I go. Vacuum....vacuum....vacuum. This will be great for the compost pile. I mean it is Earth Day.

Ok - I am tired. I wonder where I put the directions for this thing....oh....there they are, in the leaf pile I neglected to finish last year.

Three hours of yard work....and no one would know but me, because I saw it before I started.
To some this may have seemed like a wasted day....but to me....I spent 3 hours outside in the fresh air and enjoyed it! I may have not finished cleaning the yard...but, my dogs and I had a great time.