The yard work I did today was of the low tech variety. I’ve been finding reasons all week not to get outside with the trimmer or the mower, but today all the sand ran out of those excuses. It wasn’t too hot, and I wasn’t too busy. Besides, nobody was going to come around and do it for me.

One of the main reasons I had been hesitating was that I didn’t seem to be getting anywhere with the trimmer and the mower anyway. That’s partly because I can’t last very long at a time, but it’s also because there are certain kinds of weeds that simply don’t fit into the categories that my machines are designed for.

Especially in the side yard, I have weeds that the mower won’t go over, because they’re too thick and clumpy. It’s like trying to drive through a redwood tree (and not one of those redwood trees with the trunks carved out for easy passage). I either need a heavy-duty tractor, or I need to find some other method to remove the obstacles. Something, for example, like my hands, shoulders, back and legs, working in unison.

Some of the reedy growth in that same area doesn’t lend itself to the action of the trimmer. The line won’t cut through the stalks on some weeds unless I stand in one place and shove the trimmer into the same spot over and over. It’s like trying to vacuum up a smudge on the rug. No matter how hard you work at it, you don’t get anywhere.

So I pulled on the new leather gloves I bought at Target (my garden supply store of choice) earlier this week and went to work. In the end, I wasn’t able to cover much territory. It’s a lot slower going, doing this work by hand, but it does have the advantage of actually getting done. And I can see the difference! Plus, I’m getting some healthy exercise (I hope).

What I learned was that pulling weeds by hand is harder on my poor old body that using the weed trimmer, but easier than using the mower. But I also know that once the yard gets into decent shape for the first time, going over it with the mower will be the easiest thing in the world. It’s getting from here to point B that has me feeling a little woozy.

You’re gonna laugh, but today was the worst day in months for my arthritic right hand. The pain was sharp and constant, and I tried for most of the day not to use it at all. Rest and painkillers usually help. Things have been getting worse and worse all week. but I couldn’t let that stop me from doing what I needed to do in the yard. I winced and groaned a little, but it didn’t kill me. I don’t think it made me any stronger, despite the old adage, but it didn’t kill me.