The We Word

Despite our running around to view other people's hard work in their gardens and enjoying the company of other gardeners, we have been making some progress here at home, too, but we need to redouble our efforts.  Summer is flying by and we're running behind with just about every project.

I was out weeding on top of the Quarry Hill when Carl came home from work.   Here he comes to make an inspection of what we should be working on (everything) and when we should be doing it (now) and how important it is (very).

Here comes the Boss.

Carl is a very even-tempered guy.  He has a much more decisive way about him, not like wishy-washy me. He is such a contrast to my father who was Not even-tempered with a Capital N.  Though it is not in Carl's personality to yell and holler and lose his cool, he is a very determined man; an optimist with seemingly boundless energy and ideas.  And he can fix almost anything, though I gripe about all the stuff he saves (which is almost everything) he does have a vision and talent I lack.

So for our entire marriage, whenever something breaks down (including me) or the kids had a dilemma or I had another 'Bright Idea' I would immediately say, "Go ask the boss."   He isn't a blunt tyrant, not like Simon whatshisname on that talent show.  Carl's fair and just and has the answers, everything you would want your boss to be.  And he's open to negotiation and other points of view and he's very reasonable.
   
 What follows is our conversation while I weeded and the Boss patrolled the Quarry pond garden:

"There's a weird weed growing in the pond," (oh, goody) "and there's weeds along the shore (of course) and the rock work is in need of some leveling." (yup)

"And there are a bazillion and two mosquitoes!"  (Oh, I know, scratch, scratch).

"When did the waterlilies close up?"  (They do every night about now)
"Do they need to be deadheaded?"  (Not without a canoe.) 

"What are we going to do with this enormous yellow flag iris?"

"Dig it out."

"Do you see how big this is?"

 "Yup."

"Didn't we try to dig it out last year?"

"Yup."

"What happened?"

"We were apparently unsuccessful." 

"It's twice as big now!"

"Yes, it is."

"Why did we plant it?"
"It was a dried-up gift plant from someone and I felt sorry for it and put it in the water to rehydrate six years ago."  (One measly division!)
"Somebody GAVE this to us??"
"Yes, the gift that keeps on giving."
"I'm going to remove the seedpods before they ripen."

"Excellent idea."

"Do you know we have a lot of work to do?"

"Yes, I do."

"The mosquitoes are awful."

"Yes, they are."

"Let's go in, the work will be here tomorrow."

"Yes, it will."

Though I didn't say anything more than what's highlighted in pink while Carl was inspecting the garden, I was starting to feel overwhelmed, too, he's right, there's just so much to do, and sadly, all the work is of our own making.  I sighed as I swatted the umpteenth mosquito (ha, got two at once that time) and straggled down the hill with my weed pails and trowel in tow. 

 Carl must have picked up on my dejected trudging and said, "Well, don't worry so much, we're a team, we'll get it all done."

 
Awww......he said the WE word, I love that word!   I gave my boss a big hug.

And.... well, ok, Confession Time:  (Please keep this confidential.) 

I'm having an affair with my Boss.  

I hear this sort of thing is usually discouraged at work, but I've been Vice-Boss for 32 (almost 33 years) and so far, it's been working out.

And we'll get the work done someday.

We're a pair, er, I mean a Team. 

 You heard the Boss.