Wednesday, June 1, 2011

on landscaping and what i wouldn't trade

the backyard -
massey ferguson 240 tractor
badminton court
pitcher's mound
home plate
backstop
spectator seating
and
the front -
full-size football goal post
four-strand electric fence
vegetable garden
coiled hose at the ready
and
the side -
boys turning up rocks
searching for worms
rhubarb leaves
flopped over into the grass
begging for cool

these blessings i wouldn't trade
for the
manicured, paid-for
lawns
i catch myself coveting

the wednesday-friday links:

emily for imperfect prose
bonnie at the faith barista for faith barista jam
christy for as of late
casey at the wiegand's
beki at the rusted chain for fingerprint friday
studio jru for sneak peek friday
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25 comments:

  1. Karrie S CombsJune 1, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    some people have no idea what they are missing...

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  2. Amy SullivanJune 1, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Yes!
    I look at my neighbor's yards and want it. The perfectly trimmed grass and flowers blooming just so, but then I look at my yard littered with a few random toys and the slip and slide still out from this weekend, and I'm fine with my messy lived in yard.

    Kendal,
    I love how you tell a whole story in just a few words. It's such a gift.

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  3. David N.June 2, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Same here. Our's has become more utilitatian than I thought I would ever let it get, but I love it more for it.

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  4. rjerdeeJune 2, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    I wouldn't trade 'em either!! The very stuff of life.

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  5. alittlebitograceJune 2, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Oh yes! My lawn may not be pretty, but it sure is loved!

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  6. JenniferJune 2, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    I love your honesty and how you capture in a few words what takes me pages to explain! And you speak right to my heart--I was frustrated today as I picked up baseball bases that should've been put away days earlier leaving yellow base-shaped patches of grass. Time to relax and enjoy!

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  7. RuthieJune 2, 2011 at 7:02 PM

    our backyard is kind of like that too... anything and everything goes on back there. =)

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  8. Sharon Carter UnderwoodJune 2, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    I love your way with words Cousin! Those yards you speak of are loved and lived in!
    peace,
    Sharon
    PS summer vacation is almost here...yeah!

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  9. Mommy EmilyJune 2, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    oh, yes! these are the blessings, the way those rhubarb leaves flop... love this kendal.

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  10. Bonita RoseJune 3, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    I don't need a fancy lawn either.. a few flowers in my back yard is all I need.. xo hugs happy friday!

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  11. MichelleJune 3, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    I have that nice lawn(but we still have dandelions), but not flower beds. I will admit it now. I really don't like gardening. Give me preennials! You sound like you have a "loved" yard.

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  12. UnknownJune 3, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Shifting perspective -- always such a soul-changer. Being grateful for what I have instead coveting what I think I want.

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  13. Katie @ minivan divaJune 3, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Oh we would love a yard like that. We have 3 crazy boys and a very small suburban yard. I love that you get so many uses out of it. Enjoy!

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  14. AnonymousJune 3, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    Definitely a love thing...a yard...of any sort. =)

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  15. DanielleJune 3, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    Your back yard sounds like a boys heaven!!! Must be fun....and definitely beats boring perfect grass :).....Hope you enjoy your last little bit of time in the classroom!!!!!!!

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  16. JamiJune 3, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Thank you for this! I am always feeling like my yard is never "done" but my kids can play out there for hours and explore. What could be better than that?

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  17. sonya laJune 3, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    ain't that it!

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  18. artsyclayJune 3, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    What a perfect thing to read as I look out over our yard that badly needs mowing! LOL Good for you for realizing that your family's joy is the important thing, not the false perfection that the world teaches.

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  19. nicJune 3, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    me too, hon. we're bordered on all sides by manicured lawns, and the juxtaposition makes me laugh out loud some days. wouldn't trade this joy for anything.

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  20. Junelle Jacobsen June 3, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    Four strand electric fence? sheesh~ serious! I wouldn't trade~
    the sound of a sprinkler
    the old wood table
    too-sweet lemonade
    ratty quilts tossed out on the lawn
    impromptu concerts on teenage guitars

    thanks for helping me feel grateful after weeding all morning! :o)
    Junelle

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  21. Jennifer {Studio JRU}June 3, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Love this post Kendal! Sounds like you have all kinds of goodies and fun going on in your yard. How neat! :)

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  22. AnonymousJune 4, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    Hi Kendal, followed your link to here. We live on a small holding and often I long for the tarred roads just a neighbourhood away but like you say, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have learnt to appreciate the space, cutting the grass (3 hrs on a sit on lawnmower), etc etc.
    Hope you don't mind but I'll be following your blog.
    God bless
    Tracy

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  23. Elizabeth ClaireJune 4, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    Interesting list. I think it is so important and a most to make a similar list, then we can see all that we have and we love!

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  24. RobertaJune 4, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Ahhh...just pick one thing at a time and work on that and before you know it...everything will look lovely. We use to have a huge house with over an acre lot that took all of our time off just to keep it maintained on the weekends. Now that we've downsized and have a tiny home and a petite patio...I am just as relieved to have less to worry about. We just put up a gazebo and I'm enjoying my hammock every chance I get. Sure I'd love more flowers or a vegetable garden but wanting it and having it and the reality of maintaining it...I've learned are too different things. Just put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll have the beautiful yard that you covet. Have a wonderful weekend. Fondly, Roberta
    www.loveshackliving.com

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  25. CindyJune 5, 2011 at 3:08 PM

    Masterful weaving of words...I can feel the backyard ambiance!

    Blessings...

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