oooh, itchy!!

What a mess!

I'm dirty, sunburned and itchy!
I don't know how this always happens to me!

Mid~morning today,

after I've gardened myself into a complete mess;

dirty shirts, dirty hands, dirty toenails,

I clean myself up and promise T:

"From now on,

I'll always wear shoes, gloves

and playclothes when doing yardwork,

I really will!"

I promise.

But every morning, starting about 7,

I stroll out to just take a look!

"I'll just check to see if the corn sprouts grew overnight."

Not likely, but it was pretty hot yesterday,

so maybe the ground stayed warm all night long.

It could happen.

So I'll just go look and see,

but no gardening for me!

"I promise!"

Then, every day at about 10,

I am shocked to see:

dirty feet, itchy arm scratches, ruined fingernails and wild hair.

Just for good measure, I have splattered mud all over my pajamas.

(it's ok, we live in the country).

I'm always surprised.

I made sure I had gloves at the ready!

I reminded myself to change clothes half way into it!

But I forgot.

I promised I'll just water the front a bit

before I go change for yardwork...

Now, as I write, peering through spotty glasses,

I'm starting to feel more itchy, my dusty hands are drying out, my fingernails start cracking.

I shake tiny, bitty baby bugs out of my hair.

(I shouldn't have waltzed through those spider webs,

I should have worn my hat.)

I realize I've tracked in mud, which will turn to dirt,

and then to dust, necessitating sweeping that I never remember to do until I see T sweeping.

"Stop sweeping, it's my mess, I'll clean it up,"

I tell him.

And I mean it, too!

Just as soon as I finish writing.

And after I clean myself up.

I promise.