WWD February '09

Saturday was, once again, my turn for Women's Work Day. WWD is akin to a barn raising - instead of spending months building your barn (or your rock wall, or laying tile, or catching up on pruning/weeding) you have your friends come over and help you get it done in one day. It's a fabulous concept and we have 3 women in our group. Each month we rotate and go to the next lady's house, taking on any and all tasks given (we really are superwomen, aren't we?) Of course this time each year, my apple tree is in need of pruning. Janet is fabulous with a pruner, saw, and chainsaw so we just stand back and let her go at it. This poor tree hasn't been cared for in years so each year we shorten or sculpt it a little more with the chainsaw, and clean her up around the edges. Last year was a MAJOR pruning and we really worried, but we ended up with more apples than we can have imagined so we aren't worrying.

The coyote bush was next - it has nary a leaf or spindly branch left but the shape... oy vey! The shape is beautiful! I promise to post pictures soon - you won't recognize her from her previous self. Typically J does the coyote bush pruning, but last year his son came to stay with us and pruning got put off for bonding. This year wasn't going any better and the bush was getting taller, so I went out and whacked about 40% of her - GONE! Janet came along and cleaned her up - she's lovely now.

Daryl was gracious enough to weed weed weed my oxalis. All around and in between, diligently and paying attention to detail. All the stuff I hadn't the time/energy to do since Doggy needed so much time and energy for her care. We got the alyssum in the front cleaned up, we found the daffodils hidden under the old alyssum and they are blooming beautiful and yellow! I feel a huge sense of relief. Thank you ladies, once again, thank you!