Pulling weeds for afternoon clears more than just yard

The weeds showed up overnight, as if they’d been invited to a party I didn’t know I was throwing.

I ignored them for a week, maybe two, and they grew. Some wore tiny yellow flowers, others sprouted barbed dark leaves.

Spring is their season, when the sporadic rains and wet earth favors their arrival. They were taking over, lining the driveway, circling the Little Free Library at the curb, filling gaps in the brick patio.

I decided to tackle one section at a time. I set an alarm on my phone for 30 minutes before starting. I pulled weeds, one at a time, finding a pace that felt almost meditative.

When the alarm sounded after half an hour I kept at it.

The chore had pulled me up off the couch and away from the computer screen, and put me outside. The sun warmed my shoulders, taking the chill out of the morning air.

The neighbor’s black cat, which uses the area as his litter box, watched me approvingly.

I feel my heart slow. Squatting among the weeds, I planned my work day and sorted out a problem I’d had on my mind.

Pulling weeds out of the giving ground, their roots intact, was oddly satisfying. I didn’t stop until I had filled a paper bag from Someburros and cleared one 10-foot by 10-foot area.

I stood up, stretched and looked around. Weeds even pushed up through

the cracks in the driveway. I admire that kind of tenacity in nature.

There was more to do. Now I kind of looked forward to it. A new weeding tool from Home Depot means I can dig out the sprouts from between the sections of cool decking around the pool without bending over.

It felt like less of a chore somehow. I realized I’d cleared more than weeds.

Tomorrow I’ll tackle the back yard.

Reach Karina Bland at karina.bland @arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @KarinaBland.