Well, he does still turn up in the guise of the gardener. Looks at the state of it, sometimes cuts the grass, when pushed, and takes the money. I put it to you, he has only himself to blame. The lines between them, their respective positions, and their ages, have become blurred. He chats more than works, and although he charges less than half the money of a real gardener, he is not worth any of it.
A scathing assessment, but true. I know, I spent an hour in there this afternoon, and its borderline jungle. So, the gardening, has become a problem, a bone of contention.
I know, they need to reset the boundaries, or he needs to retire gracefully. Just become a friend maybe, except he seems to need the twenty dollars, or so she pays him. The saga continues, with my mother resenting paying him, and the garden getting worse. In the meantime, she complains vociverously to us, the family. Me, who leaves on 'the big white bird' in less than two weeks, for the other side of the world. Or, to my brother, who is a choked with jobs of his own, and family. A situation not unlike the garden, threatening to get out of hand. As responsibilities do, when families expand, and the breadwinner tires. I know, I have been there, I'm older than he. Been there, done that, got the tee shirt, as they say. Anyway, the upshot of it is, he cannot possibly take on the gardening, he does enough there already, with me not here.
The weeds, meanwhile, are spreading. The new plants, planted by me on my visits, dying. Soon the rest will die too, choked by bindweed, covered by dandelions, or foot high clover. Or, even worse I think, parched, and dying of thirst. I noticed today, when I was out there. Valiantly, trying to plant a few brightly coloured plants, that I thought she might enjoy seeing. That there are even cleverly shaped bunches of weeds along the border. I guess he thinks they are green, and healthy, so acceptable. Except for when they seed, the whole garden will be swamped. Even more than it is at present.
There is one section with the clever weed arrangements, one left as a riot of weeds, one in which it appears an elephant has taken a sand bath, and assorted semi derelict areas, somewhere between all of those afore mentioned states. Before I left last time, I planted lots of succulents. These are of the cacti family. They come in a variety of greens, greys, and yellows, shapes, and sizes. They are very hardy, and require no maintainance, and little water. They have spread, and flourished, thank goodness. Or the garden would be virtually bare.
Except for the roses of course. I always bought my mother rose bushes as presents. They are such good value, as far as growth, beauty, scent, and long life are concerned. Two in particular, flourish. A white climber called iceberg, and a wonderful dark lipstick pink rose, I don't know the name of. All the roses are magnificent. I know this garden sounds massive, but it really is very small. There is a small strip around most of the house, a mere pathway. Then, a handkerchief of lawn to the rear. Around the lawn are the weed beds...I mean flower beds. Only, about a foot wide.
I wish I could solve this problem for her, but have not decided how to, as yet. Also, how much do I interfere. He is a visitor, someone else to talk to, and he cuts the grass. He has some good points in his favour. Except, he is upsetting Mother, taking money under false pretences, and letting the garden go to rack, and ruin. Things are only going to get worse, on every front. I don't want Mother getting so mad at him, for wasting her money, that she spears him, on his own fork. Or, he might simply get lost in the weeds one day, and never be seen again.
Dilemma, do I let him cut the grass, for less money. Or, maybe he wouldn't? Or, do I get a lawn mower man in, and a proper gardener, and pay for it myself. Which I know, she would resist. The thing is, how much would she resist? We could engage the new man. We could absolve her of any blame in his eyes. They could then, commiserate with each other on the subject of bossy daughters. I know he has one too.
Mmm, have I solved it? I must hatch a plan with my brother, I am sure we could organise something between us. Whatever it is, it must be quick. I am off soon, I cannot delay much longer.
In the meantime, I will continue to weed what I can. Try to get it in some sort of order for the new man, ahh see, already my sub conscious has made the decision.
Yippee, for the sub conscious, and for passing the buck,
Which my mother always seems to do with me....
Ah well, that's life, as long as she's happy.
Daily dilemmas
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