Yesterday was quiet a day for a number of reasons.
For a start it was really hot.  I heard it described as furnace like.  Whie the maximum did not climb as high as predicted the minimum was high and it was really humid.  So it felt even warmer.  The day ended with storms in the area.  One looked like it was coming our way, and it sounded terrible but it dissipated before it got here.  I was relieved.
Merril and I had determined that we were going to work in the yard.  We had decided we would start and finish early to escape the worst of the heat.  That is what we did, and I was pleased. 
We worked on the front from 7am to about 10 am.  We got heaps of weeding, mowing and cutting back done.  It was really part one as there is other stuff we would like to do, and will do another day.
One thing we want to do is make the top of the drive wider so someone could park their car up higher and avoid the walk up the slope to the Cabin.  There is an area we will pave for that.  I have lots of pavers but they will need to be collected and they are each 60 x 60 centimetres.  They are really quite large and heavy.
We also want to put a secure delivery box for parcel deliveries.  Again we will need a couple of pavers for that as well as screwing it to our current letter box.  That is the plan anyway.  We have the letter box.  We will see what happens.
Originally I did what I did to eliminate the need to mow.   Best laid plans.  It is more work now than mowing.  One thing I have had to learn is not to crowd.  I did have too much planted, but we are coming back to a more open plan.  In my mind it is getting better and better.
It is just that right now if it is neglected it looks terrible.  Merril went for a walk the other day and people were sitting on their porch opposite.  Merril apologised for the way it looked, and a visitor commented that as long as they could see Santa, they were happy.  We had a metal Santa in the front yard.
Anyway phase one is done.  Phase two is next.  Sometime.  Soon.

It seems to me that sometimes it is good to be reminded of the things that really matter.  In the James Clear email this week he had this statement, “"You can't make a comeback if you don't start."
I was reminded of a speech by Sam to Frodo in “Lord of the Rings,” “It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened. But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something. FRODO: What are we holding on to, Sam? “
The question that Frodo asks is pertinent to me.  What am I holding on to?  If it is what matters than a comeback is always a good thing.  It seems to me that so often people give up.  Been there, done that.  Who I am is not perfect, but it is hungry.  Giving up means I will never find food.  Pressing in when things are tough is so often the way to find a feast.
It seems to me that often what is worthwhile is not easy.  It takes work and application.  It often takes making mistakes and learning from them.  It takes admitting I am wrong.  It takes acknowledging I am not the be all and end all.  Life went on before me and it will go on after me.
As they would say in Mission Impossible, ‘My role (which I have chosen to accept) is to be the best of what I am meant to be.”  It may be someone with a high profile, or it may be someone with no profile.  I remember hearing someone who was incredibly successful say that when they started out it was cleaning toilets.  But their thinking at that time was “I am going to be the best toilet cleaner ever.”
That to me says heaps.  I know perfection in what I do may be a step too far.  But perfection in who I am is a goal worth working towards.  All too often I blow it but a come back is on the cards.  Having the best mentor ever helps.

Well the day turned out to be a good pottering day.
The front yard is a jungle and needs to be delt with.  When one neighbour mows the front verge and the neighbour across the road does the whippier snipping it says something.  Now it would be nice if some other neighbour took it upon themselves to do the front gardens that would be nice.  But alas that does not happen.  That area remains to be done.
Now the back yard is a different story. (Except for the extreme back where I have the same weed problem.  Yesterday afternoon I looked at natural solutions to weeds.  We are not into the indiscriminate use of chemicals but we have a strong dislike of weeds.) 
I have used this solution once on a path and it was effective.  It is vinegar based.  Yesterday I prepared a sprayer and got is all ready.  Early morning and evening is best, and results are visible the next day.  I had a sprayer in an unopened box.  It had a shoulder strap.  I wanted a solution that did not involve bending at all.  I am happy with this one.
Merril went to visit family and it was right and good.  I was determined just to potter around.  I did that successfully.  I tidied up the car port, blowing away the leaves and grime as I went.
In the afternoon I pursued something that seems to be a goal of Merril to.  We want to strike plants from cuttings and seeds for sale at our market.  I found two ideal containers for pots and added polystyrene we had from the installation of a few things.  Then I added potting mix we had.  All is in readiness now.
It inspired me to work on our green house.  I cleared it out and have made it our greenhouse/potting area.
I did other things that made for a satisfying days activities.  But the front yard still awaits.  Dealing with that is planned for tomorrow.  Merril studies today and I will potter again.  It is date night tonight and we would like to do some shopping. 
It is an enjoyable time of the year.