It was a short affair, with so much potential.

I’ve been itching to get my hands on this bad boy for a few weeks now, and today there was no holding me back.

He’s long and lean and good at his job. Let’s call him Brad. Putting Brad to the test sounds like fun, right? It shouldn’t be so bad, right?

Well, like most affairs, the idea was more exciting than the end result. He promised so many good things – at the least, a sense of happiness and satisfaction – and came up short. To be honest, I really wouldn’t mind if I never saw him again, but alas we have another date tomorrow.

Brad?

The weed puller

Oh, Brad, you’ve ruined me! You’ve given me pain all over. My hands are bruised, despite the gloves, my left wrist aches, my back is twisted, my stomach’s sore … and there’s still so much lawn to be done. Waaaaaaaaa! We still have to be together tomorrow! Noooooooooo!

Exhibit A – holes

I didn’t take before and after photos of the lawn, because, hey, even I found it hard to see the difference. If it wasn’t for all the holes Brad left behind, you wouldn’t even known we’d been through a third of the lawn. I’m finding it hard to believe 10 large buckets of weeds and earth have been removed from that area! Because the weeds grow so low to the ground, with a random bloom sprouting up a few days after it’s been mowed, the change is hardly noticeable.

And really, who wants to see a weed? Holes aren’t much better, let’s be honest! Here’s what the clean section looks like …

Exhibit B – doesn’t look all that different really

Rivetting huh? And the saddest part is that area took six hours to do – shoving Brad into the ground, twisting him clockwise, pulling him out, then pushing his lever (using my stomach mostly; that’s why it’s sore) to release the dreaded weed.

You know what’s even sadder? I still have two-thirds of the lawn to do! Luckily this third was the worst; I should be able to finish the rest in about four hours. Then I’ll fill the wheelbarrow with soil and fill in all the holes, so the lawnmower wheels don’t fall in them. Some of them are quite wide.

I forgot to say Rene came home from hospital yesterday, in good spirits. He felt fit enough to go into his cellar to retrieve a gift for Leo and I, much to Leo’s disgust! In an effort to tighten the purse strings, I accepted our neighbours’ kind offer of their old door hanger, to keep the flies out and let the breeze in. Now it really feels like summer! Waiter! Where’s my pina colada?!

If you can’t go to the Caribbean, bring it home!

I can’t wait for my summer fling with Brad to end. He’s nowhere near as exciting, or satisfying, as I thought he’d be. But I’m sure Rene’s happy we’ve spent this time together.

Wishing you a wonderful day.