To Want, To Weed, To Nature

tree saga part 3

I've been reading a book entitled The World Without Us by Alan Weisman. While I don't buy into everything he writes, the premise of his book is what would earth be like if every human being disappeared? I can tell you what would happen. The weeds would take over.

Honestly, when I think about what I/we spend on our yards to keep nature at bay, well, it's downright laughable. I take out things that would naturally grow and replace them with flora that need care and attention to survive their new habitat.

Thankfully, the good that comes out of our recent tree slaughtering is that the entire front yard has been completely torn apart and wiped clean. It was necessary in order to eradicate all the roots. That means I have a chance to start over. A chance to make right with nature.

I must admit that I am unwilling to go totally native. While there are many species of indigenous plants that would survive happily in my yard, I also like a selection that are drought and heat tolerant but are from other areas of the world. And therein lies the rub. I want what is on the proverbial other side of the fence. I want what doesn't normally grow here. And the joke of it all is no matter what plants I choose, I'm still going to be trimming and weeding and doing all that gardening stuff rather than letting nature be in charge.

But what is a weed after all? Merely a plant that we find undesirable. Nothing more. Nothing less. And thus, nature and I will be engaged in an ongoing battle. I'd put your money on nature.