I was at my Dad's house working last weekend helping out in the yard, trimming, pruning and raking. This bushy shrub with long prickly vines grew out of control in an area that was overcrowded with other shrubs so I was asked to trim it back all the way or dig it up. I was handed a pair of clippers that were small and dull so I asked if there were others around with longer blades. He directed me the garage where I found a 55 year old black pair of clippers weighing 25 lbs. I carried them to the bush and began clipping away. The comment I heard was, "Those clippers are useless, dull and don't work." I continued clipping away and soon the shrub was level with the ground. My Dad said, "Well , look there, you did IT even with those ancient clippers, but then again only you could of done that thanks to all the years of clipping practice you have been blessed with." I laughed and suddenly remembered the countless times of trimming grass from under the fences in the pasture as a consequence for behavior as a child. This was my Dad's way of redirecting me when I was young. Behaviors that led to clipping: if I said- guy, no, why, rolled my eyes, argued or quarreled with my brother. For any of these infractions I clipped, clipped, clipped... He reminded me I clipped the grass frequently. As I recall the clippers were old, and the kind that are hand held, heavy with long blades. My job was to clip the grass from under the fence which was never an easy task even though it was clipped frequently. Finding gratitude for clippers, grass and evolution. Today I am letting the grass grow...
