Spring isn't THAT far away! It's time to ask yourself why?? Why do
North Americans covet the perfect, manicured lawn lawn! If you
think about it, a manicured lawn really makes no sense whatsover in
the grand scheme of things!

Every spring, I read the following story and once again
think... "this year... this year, I'm getting rid of the lawn."

This was written as a joke. But, I think the joke is on all of us!

Eric
Ottawa
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Leaves as Mulch
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http://www.hehe.at/funworld/archive/jokes23.php?view=2228

Upon observing the way we waste our precious natural resources,
imagine the conversation The Creator might have with St. Francis:


"Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is
going on down there? Where are all of the dandelions, violets,
thistle and stuff I planted eons ago? I had the perfect no-
maintenance garden plan. My plants grew in any type of soil; they
withstood drought, and multiplied with abandon. The nectar from the
long-lasting blossoms attracted butterflies, honeybees, and flocks
of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of color by now, but
all I see are these green squares."


"It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They
started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great extent to
kill them and replace them with grass."


"Grass? But, it's so boring. It's not colorful. It doesn't attract
birds or bees, only grubs and sod worms. It's temperamental with
temperatures. Are you sure they really want all that grass growing
there?"


"Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it, and keep it
green. In the Spring they fertilize the grass, and kill any other
plants that crop up."


"The spring rains and cool weather probably make the grass grow
really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy."


"Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little - they cut it."


"Cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?"


"No, not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags."


"Oh. Is it a cash crop? Do they sell the bags?"


"No sir, just the opposite. They pay taxes for the bags to be hauled
off."


"Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize the grass so it will
grow, and when it does grow they cut if off and pay to throw it
away?"


"Yes, sir."


"Then, these suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut
back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth
and saves them a lot of work."


"Sit down, Lord. When the grass stops growing, they drag out the
hoses and pay more money to water it, so they can continue to mow it
and pay to have it hauled off."


"What nonsense! At least they kept some of the trees. That was a
sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves
in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the
Autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep
moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they
rot, the leaves form a compost to enhance the soil."


"You still sitting, Lord? The Suburbanites have grown a new circle.
As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them, bag them, and pay to
have them hauled off."


"You're kidding! What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots
in the winter, or keep the soil moist and loose?"


"After the leaves are hauled off they buy something they call mulch
and spread it around under the trees."


"And where do they get this mulch."


"They cut down the trees and grind them up."


"ENOUGH! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine,
you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us
tonight?"


"Dumb and Dumber, Lord. It's a real stupid movie about..." "Never
mind, I think I just heard the whole story."


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