week-end

The beginning of Memorial Day week-end. One of three – the others, of course, being Fourth of July (which isn’t technically a week-end, but so often feels that way anyway) and Labor Day – that are, in my mind, quintessentially American. In a good way.

And they wrap summer, snugly and securely: school ends after one, the grill is in full swing on the second, and school begins again after the third.

The best, the beginning of summer, is also the saddest of the pack. Celebrate, commemorate, remember, look forward.Ufff!





Sort of like life itself.






I branch out in my work beyond the space that abuts the farmhouse today. I attack the strips of land at the sides of the dirt driveway. In my mind, this stretch ought to be pretty. It’s the welcome sign: hey, glad you drove up! Instead, it has last fall’s dry leaves, long strands of crab grass and a heap of tarp covered dirt...

Ed, can we remove the heap of dirt? 

I may need it someday... 
Can we MOVE the heap of dirt? 
Where to? 

Anywhere, just not here!  

I’ll put it on my list.

There are exams to grade, a coffee to bike for, more weeds and crabgrass to pull out.





Memorial Day week-end. May you have a good one.