Taking back the backyard

We have a fairly large, high maintenance backyard.   Some people dream of having a backyard this big, and desire having this much to work with.   Unfortunately, while I enjoy getting work done in the yard, the futility of it all makes it hard to start that work.

If you cut grass, it grows back.   If you trim the hedges, then it grows out again.  Pull a weed and another pops up.   The state of perfection in yard work is just a fleeting moment.    Futility, by definition.

So, I've been neglectful.   That's being generous....the care of our landscaping tends to fall between barely kept up to 'house in foreclosure' - favoring the latter.    Things are changing though.

Now, Lily has a bike.   She wants to go outside to point at big trucks and marvel at the garbage pickup and the noise motorcycles make.   In fact, one of the most complex things she has spontaneously said was 'Lily wants to get out of house'.

If we have to go into the yard more, then we need to start maintaining it.     That's what we are doing.   Right now it's catch up and after that we hope to move onto projects, like the one pictured here.

The good thing is that while the work is futile, the end result is fulfilling.   The sun gives you Vitamin D, the work is good exercise and finishing it will make the required socializing with the neighbors a lot easier.