Ever think about going against the grain and doing things differently?
What will the next homeowner think of me? We have weeds in our grass; broadleaf, crabgrass and 57 others.
We live in a wooded enclave part of what is left of that big forest 35 miles north of Detroit…the Indians called it Bald Mountain. In our yard lives the Gray Tree Frog, Wood Frog, American Toad, Spotted Salamander and many other winged and four-legged creatures God created.
Now we have weeds! A crisis all over suburban America is now also mine and the delicate Wood frogs. Every summer these cute tan and black-striped frogs have babies that are smaller than my little fingernail.
I see them jumping from the shadow of my footprint while I’m out in the yard pulling weeds, turning the flower beds or trimming back the wild raspberries.
What are they doing in the grass anyway?
Hunting. Looking for their food: Baby spiders, grubs, worms and rolly pollies; whatever fits in their tiny mouths. So my dilemma. What happens to these cute little wood frogs if I herbicide the grass to kill the weeds?
Might as well insecticide while I’m at it…there goes the wood frogs neighborhood and their groceries.
Then this guy pops up on the Internet talking about how we are supposed to be good stewards to God’s creations. Should I kill the weeds or the wood frogs and their habitat? Just what I needed to hear.
I had microbiology in college; does that make me responsible now? And then there is that Bob Dylan guy singing ‘What good am I, if I know but do nothing??
Implies a lot of things, huh Bob? Who needs troubadours now-a-days, anyway?
Don’t you just hate these dilemmas of modern living? Protect God’s earth and creations or impress my neighbors? Better call Michigan State Extension for the best plan of action.
On after thought, my neighbor Hank is 80 and his values changed over the years. He doesn’t use chemicals to control his environment anymore. Don’t get me wrong, he still has pride in his belongings. But he’s paid his dues to the suburban lawn industry, and now has no one to impress.
Now he counts his blessings to live in the country, on a lake. His attitude has changed; now days he says ‘Live and let live, and don’t ever grow old.?
I take Hank’s advice seriously, especially the latter.