What I should have done yesterday was update my mailing labels, print them out, order office supplies, update bookkeeping on the new program, coordinate my drivers for Friday’s magazine delivery, do my post office paperwork for Friday’s mailing, return calls, and begin to get the second quarter financials together for my tax chick.  What I did instead of office work was work in my yard.  I pulled out a rotting 4×4 post and put in a fresh one, then created a fence of cut bamboo alongside the east side of the driveway.  I cut about a dozen palmetto fronds out of the pathway into the east garden and wove them into the bamboo fence to give privacy as I watch the street.  Now I can sit on the wrought iron chair behind the fronds and be fairly hidden, yet still get the breeze as it comes through.   Within minutes of me putting the area up and sitting to check it out, a pair of pilated woodpeckers and two baby cardinals landed within inches of my face.  Nice hiding place!

Then I went into the west woods to the firepit area and rearranged the seating area.  I’ve not used the actual firepit out there since the past year in Palm Bay has been full of fire alerts, but the chimenea is there, which I do use.  I added a black wrought iron table and two matching chairs.  They sit next to the cushioned outdoor chair and low plastic chair, with matching green plastic footrests.

I began pulling all the cut bamboo from the west woods and other areas in the yard where I was no longer using it, and moving it to the front of the east garden.  I made another bamboo fence parallel to the road under the oak canopy, and cut some giant palm fronds to fill in between.  I raked up mounds and mounds of oak leaf and pine mulch and began clearing the old walkways.  The east garden area has been fairly neglected since the 2004 hurricanes came through.  This Spring is the first the oaks have been in full bloom since then, fully hiding the east garden under its canopy once again.  In the hot summer, it will be the cool place to sit.

I’ve been watering the backyard and the St. Augustine grass is beginning to creep over the bare area.  Last year something got the half of my back yard lawn that stays in the sunshine, while the shaded half stayed green and lush.   Whatever it was, the watering is sending runners all over.

So, while I didn’t get much office work done, I got some yard work done that I was really in the mood to do and it was fun and felt like a vacation day.  I love my life.