Eeeep!

This morning I got up real early so I could get a run in and get the lawn mowed before it gets crazy hot.  The back yard had not been mowed in about 3 weeks.  For various reasons neither Benzo nor I could find time to mow it and then when we did have time it was way too hot to spend any length of time outside.  So the grass was really tall!  And there’s always a certain slithering creature hanging out in tall grass:

I actually saw four snakes while I was mowing (or I saw one snake four times).  We have a riding mower so I felt safe up on the mower and could watch the snake from a distance.  They move really fast.  I tried to watch out for them so I wouldn’t mow them accidentally.  Snakes are good for the garden!

You may have noticed that I haven’t blogged about my garden in a while.  Here’s why:

Look how pitiful it is!  It makes me want to cry just looking at it.  For some reason I haven’t been as motivated to work in my garden this year and it’s obviously gotten out of control.  The heat doesn’t help either.  I spent about an hour weeding today after mowing and barely made a dent.  And after only an hour I was completely soaked with sweat and exhausted and had to go inside.  I did see this guy while I was out there:

Yea!  A pumpkin!  There are actually lots more as the surprise pumpkins have completely taken over the north end of the garden.

And I mentioned yesterday that I thought I found the poison ivy in the backyard.  Here’s what I think it is:

Can anyone confirm if this is indeed poison ivy?  I think it is because the leaves are in groups of three and they have that notch in them.  But please let me know if I am wrong!

Whew I’m beat from all the yard work today.  I’m really glad I made myself get up early and do it because it feels soooo good to have it done.  Or at least part of it anyway.  I feel like the yard work will never truly be done!