Centerfield

A comment to break the ice.

Actually, I'm thinking about lawns right now. Mine is a mess. I got an estimate of $2500 for a new lawn. Gulp. Instead, I'm going to patch it myself with that stuff that looks like paste.

What are the politics of lawns? Are lawns Republican? Urban gardens Democrat?

Personally, I like green concrete.

I do the mowing, so I'm an Astroturf fan, but keep getting vetoed.

Get a good seed mix. Stabilize the soil. Put up the ropes. And follow the best advice you can get and pray. And water. And pray.

Tangential--My wife is a Master Gardener. When asked "How do you get rid of Bermuda grass?" her answer is "Move."

Pat Tillman is my hero. After 9/11 I looked into joining the National Guard, but I wimped out. This guy walked away from a $3.6 million contract to go to Afghanistan. He died fighting al Qaeda.
(http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/football/nfl/04/23/tillman.killed/index.html?cnn=yes)

Tully,

When we moved into my house, my wife suggested how we could get the lawn going nicely, at which point I related that I loved gardening but hated mowing, so I wasn't planning on making the lawn nice. She foolishly offered to mow if I'd get it looking nice with fertilizer etc, and I closed on that deal at light speed! No mowing for me, Jack!

Rick,

I've done lots of gardening and landscaping for years. My advice is that if you have serious areas that need reseeding, it's much better to do it in the fall. That patch stuff is ok for small scattered areas. But if you re-seed substantial areas in the spring, they may start out looking good, but when it gets warm and the crab grass sprouts, the crab grass quickly overruns your newly seeded grass. This is not a problem if you wait until the fall, because crab grass is actually an annual that re-seeds itself.

And you can't use crabgrass preventer is you are trying to grow seed, because it works by retarding germination. You also can't apply it later on once the new seed is established because by then the crab grass has already germinated.

And trying to kill the crab grass off after it has sprouted is near impossible.

That's a shame about Tillman. He really set an heroic example by making such a choice.

Too difficult to mix the light with the more serious in one.

Sympathy for Tillman...and all as I check regularly.
Young lives snuffed out.

Geez, think any of these decisions would be different if Bush kids, Cheney kids, had to go over?

Time to have a separate Topic Discussion and Solution: National Guard for All Citizens to defend this country? Isn't it time to pull out of many places? Uncle to the world and paying for it? Would you not prefer to pay those who serve in battle more handsomely and reduce what youpay all your govt. yuppy employees?

Alex

"In Iraq our national security interests and our national values converge. Iraq is truly the test of a generation, for America and for our role in the world. Faced with similar challenges, previous generations of Americans have passed such tests with honor. It is now our turn to demonstrate that our power, ennobled by our principles, is the greatest force for good on earth today. Iraq's transformation into a secure democracy and a force for freedom in the greater Middle East is the calling of our age. We can succeed. We must succeed."

- Senator John McCain

I'm normally a strong fan of Senator McCain. On this issue I have to disagree rather strongly with him.

Afghanistan is in the "greater Middle East" and we've only got a token force there and have yet to fulfill all of the wonderful promises about helping the Afghans rebuild their country. If our government truly wanted to help create a shining example of democracy in the region and show the inhabitants of the Middle East that there is a better way... why did they pass on Afghanistan to invade Iraq?

With all due respect, Sen. McCain, don't insult our intelligence!

Disagree vehemently. And, if I remember correctly, you did not want a war record of some war thirty years ago to be any factor and were even put out about even having to hear about any of it.
Have only one life.

Until Jenna and Barbara ....or George's, Jeb's asses on the line and so on with Senators and Congress kids
or youw own ass was on the lines and supply lines... And, Service by whom ...and for who all to gain and benefit...and to make bucks off of...and benefit which politicians?

But, needs to be a separate Topic Discussion. Sorr, just cannot mix in with the topic of lawn.

Alex

The Politics of Lawns from Madison, WI

http://www.madison.com/captimes/news/stories/72346.php

The county board eventually banned all phosphorus.

Thanks for the advice.

I'm real sorry about Tillman too. It had all the makings of a hero's tale. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a happy ending.

Sorry, Kevin--
Do not disagree with you. My post came up later than yours and was directed at disagreeing with Todd's emphasis.

Alex

Also exsuse type for word sorry in prev. comment.

No prob, Alex. I figured it out before I got to your explanation. I hadn't talked about lawns... LOL

Very sad about Tillman.

Soooo happy it's Friday.

I have a hot date tonight. :)

What a coincidence... I have a hot date tonight too.

Trivia: 440 years ago today William Shakespeare was born.

I was born on Shakespeare's 400th birthday. Do the math. :-)

BTW, how long has that Independent Nation banner link been up on the left-hand margin? I just noticed it a bit ago and checked it out. I love the quotes page! Good stuff!

Kevin,

You are observant. I put the banner up around 2PM today.