Gallons and gallons

We have had a rather dry summer, like many other folks. Nevertheless, we still seem to have an abundance of water in our reservoir, so there are no water restrictions or bans. Obviously, I try not to use gazillions of gallons as a regular course, but today…

Since we have had .72 inches of rain so far this month, the lawn finally reached the use it (water) or lose it (lawn) stage. I watered the front yard today. I don’t care so much about the back yard. I let the grass grow longer out there and that seems to protect it. The nicely manicured front lawn, however, just about burned to a crisp. Today I set the hose on it and I could almost hear the grateful cries. Even the bugs descended for a drink. I saw bumble bees and honey bees and wasps and a couple of dragon flies swooping in and out of the sprinkles. Tomorrow I had better see some green(er) grass.

Then I scrubbed down the front porch. There was still spring pollen clinging to the floor boards. So I scrubbed and rinsed and scrubbed some more. It was filthy. Now it’s sparkly clean.

And then I gave my redbud trees a long slow drink. The one that looked mostly dead this spring has made an amazing comeback and I don’t intend to let it get all stressed out for lack of water this summer.

I don’t want to know how much water I used today. I feel guilty, but the the other choice (dead things) was much less appealing that letting the hose sprinkle forth. Sometimes I wish that I didn’t care about conserving resources. I mean, it would be easier. But I do care and sometimes that means guilt pangs when I use too much. That’s the way it goes.

My last chore of the day was pulling weeds. That doesn’t require water. I sat on my brick walkway and pulled obstinate little weeds from between the bricks. That is rather tedious, but it looks nice now that the task is finished. By the end of the week, there will probably be new ones sprouting. I read someplace that pouring vinegar on weeds will kill them and inhibit new growth. Has anyone tried that? I don’t know how well vinegar and bricks get along, though. I’ve tried boiling water and apparently my weeds are particularly resilient. I’d love to know why I have such a green thumb when it comes to weeds. It’d be nice if the grass was as determined.