Q: Who do YOU think was wielding this tool?

Was it:
a. Woody
b. Rachel
c. Madison
d. sweet old Ms. Simmons across the street

Survey says? B! The (second, ok third) most spindly person on the list after the two old biddies. As Woody was laying bricks to our garden path, I was trying not to drive the extremely pointy (as opposed to the very sharp) end of the mattock through my skull on the upswing. My aim with this garden instrument was less than perfect but on the upside it did make me feel like I was in my very own version of "O Brother Where Art Thou?" All I needed was some Dapper Dan pomade and a fake beard.

My questionable rock-breaking skills notwithstanding, the garden is starting to shape up! We've put in herbs, tomatoes, peppers, radishes, beets, papaya, ugli fruit, and your garden variety South Carolina black truffle.

As you can see, there is a path through the beds to facilitate Woody doing all the weeding. I will helpfully spritz the whole production with the hose at convenient breaks in my tanning regime.

We also cleaned off and rearranged the back porch so such outdoor furniture as castoff toilets and rotting pieces of plywood figure less prominently in our outdoor living:

Madison has already taken up residence under the table and taken to wondering when we will get around to grilling brats and dropping them.