Today’s photo is my front "yard." Actually, I call this my front forest. There really isn’t a commonly used phrase that replaces the word yard but that describes what I have. If I say the word yard, the rest of the world will picture grass. I don’t do grass. This is what I have where a yard would be if I had one.I do have some decent boulders around the back of the property, but I think these particular rocks were moved from their original spots, where they had been for unknown millions or billions of years, when the cabin was built. These rocks look as though they are sitting on top of the ground, not "growing" up out of it; that’s why I think they were moved to this spot.
Truthfully, I’ve never understood the whole "yard" thing. What’s the point of having grass? I don’t get it. Even if I lived somewhere that came with a yard, my mission would be to get rid of it. I would either have 100% garden or natural landscaping or, if I lived someplace that would allow it, I would revert my new yard to a forest. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people build a log cabin in the forest, and as soon as they move in, they cut down the forest and put in a yard. Why would you move to a forest and then make it look like a subdivision? I just don’t get it.
And another thing: grass is so boring. It’s a plant monoculture. Grass doesn’t really support much of anything that’s part of the natural world. Whether it’s birds or insects or animals, a varied landscape creates more variety. But obviously, I’m almost alone in this thought process, because people are really, really into their yards.
And another thing: you have to mow grass. What’s up with that? I never have to mow my forest. I can just go out into the front forest and enjoy it. I don’t have to trim it, mow it, buy expensive lawn equipment or anything.
I just don’t get grass.
As you can see, I received a bit of new snow. This photo was taken as the snow was still falling. I actually ended up with about an inch of new snow. Doesn’t my front forest look great in the snow? I think so.
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10 comments:
Carolyn, If I had a cabin in the woods/mountains--I wouldn't do a 'yard' either!!!! That's what a rustic cabin and its surroundings are all about. Since we live in a 'sub-division'---we have to DO yards!!!! Not always fun---but a great way to get some exercise (and get out in nature)... Would love to see more pictures of your cabin sometime (inside and out).
Hugs,
Betsy
The next time you are in Oklahoma, come see me in my suburban subdivision home, and take your shoes off and wiggle your toes in my cool green grass, and lay on your back on my yard at night and look up at the stars. And listen the the crickets who are busy eating away at the grass blades that are brown. And also take notice of the areas where grass grows naturally and how beautifully green it is in spring and summer, and how it looks like a carpet of ochre in winter. I like grass. Maybe you would too, if you gave it a chance.
But I agree with the cabin in the woods theory. I am glad we don't have a lawn to mow at the cabin! I wouldn't want to put one in if I could! It is too shady for grass to grow there and I wouldn't want to give up trees for the sake of grass!
Betsy and Dana: Grass just doesn't do it for me. At the cabin, the stars are still up there. I have crickets and katydids and lightning bugs, etc. With grass, all I see is that sterile monoculture. For me, yards are boring. The only yards I've ever seen that I sort of liked, was where people had gotten rid of the grass and replaced it with nothing but gardens and paths and natural landscaping. Those are okay. Not as good as the woods, but okay.
Carolyn H.
I'm with you Carolyn. I am totally not of the grass/yard persuasion either. Give me as wild as you can get it!
I've been "lurking," enjoying your blog for quite awhile now.
Keep living the life! :)
Peace
I dont' get the grass thing either. Even suburbia dwellers could and should do better. You might enjoy Susan Harris's blog at http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/category/lawnsubstitutes
We don't get grass either ... though we do have some over the septic field. Our aim is to get rid of as much of it as possible. Our back yard looks like your front yard ... right off our back deck is woods.
Cicero, FW and Horsin': I'm glad to hear I'm not the only person missing the grass gene. To me, it's a total mystery. Grass is something that belongs only in a ballfield or someplace like that.
And it's not as though grass is less work, either. I likely still wouldn't get it, but if it was easier than anything else, at least that would make it more understandable. But no, grass requires constant maintenance, takes lots time and expenditure of money for equipment. So why??
Carolyn H.
There's been many times I've thought the same thing about what I'd do if I bought a house with a yard. Too much work, too sterile an environment, not really all that attractive compared to a garden or something more natural.
However, I can see the appeal for some people. If I had kids, for instance, I'd probably maintain a small yard with a swingset and a sandbox and some room for them to run around without tripping over logs or running into branches (of course, they'd be encouraged to explore the forest, too). Perhaps if you liked to play croquet or badminton with friends it would be good to have a yard. Maybe if you were really into lawn tractors you'd like to maintain a yard. But not falling into any of those categories, I'm with you, Carolyn.
I got a good use for grass.
In the springtime when the fawns are out. There's nothing more sweet but to watch a bunch of fawns race around the a yard. Or watching them nibbling at the grass too.
www.thequietone.net
Cathy: I agree that playing fawns are as cute as cute can be. My dad has them in a field in the spring. In the summer the wild grass gets pretty tall but in the spring it's still low enough to see them. Of course, he doesn't mow the field. It's gradually becoming a woods a gain.
Carolyn H.
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