We Are the Lorax

Here is what we did for Earth Day/Arbor Day/to Celebrate Spring:

1) Go to Alexandria Earth Day. Buy Forest Pansy Redbud for neighbor at Earth Day Tree Sale.

2) Leave Earth Day and go to Merrifield Garden Center's new Gainesville, VA location. Gape in awe at enormous selection - trees and shrubs as far as the eye can see. Hit Heritage River Birch section. Pick out enormous tree. Then pick out slightly smaller but straighter tree instead. Go to ornamental section. Negotiate appropriate size of tree with husband. Bring in Merrifield's outstanding landscape architect, Robert, as mediator. Both of you listen enraptured as he discusses cherry blossom scenes in The Last Samurai. Know this is your man. Husband wins tree negotiation over installation of a Japanese White Pine in the corner. Console yourself with tomato plants and make mental note to purchase your husband a book on Japanese tree pruning.

3) Get a good night's sleep!

4) Knock, knock! Who's there?

Oh aren't you cute?

Oh crap.

5) Have husband dig gigantic hole while you run to Lowe's for compost. Come back to already dug hole for giant birch tree. Nearly kill yourselves getting tree into hole facing the wrong direction. Use each other, the tree, and the hole in a pseudo-Spirograph method to turn tree in correct position. Fill hole.

6) Help your husband dig hole for pine tree. Or not:

Hmm. Go back to Lowe's.

7) Fix pipe.

8) Plant pine tree in correct direction and fill hole while husband plants neighbor's new tree.

9) Water. Enjoy accomplishing massive feat before dark! Go out for tacos to celebrate.