Perspective

ByHal Hammons

From a distance, my lawn looks great.  Up close, my lawn looks terrible.  Both perspectives are unfair, I think.  It is self-serving and lazy to imagine that a quick glance from the street is how best to measure the quality of my work.  It is self-defeating and depressing to hover over each blade of grass (or weed, or dead spot) and wonder what I did so horribly wrong as to bring on this tragedy.

Perspective makes all the difference.  You’re either a hero or a goat, a genius or an idiot.  Both perspectives are true, and both are lies.

Spring

ByHal Hammons

Well, spring has sprung.  And that means a host of new articles in this space about Hal’s lawn maintenance.  Those who have been reading this column for a while have gotten used to this, I suspect.

The early signs are good this season. 

Get to work

ByHal Hammons

For me, the toughest thing about cutting grass — by far — is putting on my shoes.  It seems illogical, but it’s true.  I will come up with any and every conceivable reason to not get out there and do what needs to be done.  Too hot.  Too wet.  Too tired.  Too busy.  Too many interesting videos on YouTube.

Once I get my shoes on, though, I’ll go.  And once I go, I’ll finish. 

Growth

ByHal Hammons

We have been inordinately blessed with rain in recent days.  As a result, my lawn is greener and lusher than it ever has been.  The grass is not exactly “high as an elephant’s eye,” but it might create some visibility issues for the neighborhood possums.

So, of course, it is time to cut it.  Well past time, in fact.