Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

I’ve just gotten rid of my third ant. This morning. I’m trying to see the good. Dear God, thank you for sending the tiny ants and not the gross giant black ones that make the crunching sound when you smoosh them. Amen.

Can we just take a moment and appreciate how beautiful it is outside? I feel like I’ve waited five years for summer to arrive, and it’s finally here! I’m no longer nervous that another snowstorm is around the bend. It’s here. It’s really here. I mean, I have ants, so it must be real summer this time.

For those of you wondering, I did not get a garden planted. I still might pop in a veggie or two, but I’m going to focus whatever yard betterment time I have to general landscaping this year.

I have put off buying mulch and separating hostas for two years now. I say separating hostas like I actually know what I’m talking about. I, in fact, have no idea how to separate a hosta. I have only recently been able to identify what a hosta actually is. People are constantly telling my how I need to split mine. I nod and smile and mumble back something that sounds garden-like, and then we move on.

I kept telling myself that I was going to do a grand landscaping overhaul. I wanted to change the stone trim, move some bushes (they are probably hostas) and possibly put down rocks. No need wasting money on mulch if I’m putting in rock, right? Wrong. My yard looks like a hot mess.

Just exiled my fourth ant.

Not having a garden will actually provide me with a good amount of time and money. Not to mention I can go into my backyard and not think, “Ugh, I need to weed.” I mean, there are plenty of other things I need to weed without putting a garden in. Why would I add to my list of things I’ll probably never do?

I wanna go to the lake this summer. Like, a bunch of lakes. I’ve finally conquered the city pool, and I totally dominate the splash pad. It’s time for me to stretch myself further and pack up all my kiddos and see what fun is to be had at the lake.

I’m from “up north,” about four hours. We hunt, fish and have swimming lessons at the lake. There was no city pool or splash pad growing up. We either went to the lake or played with the garden hose. There’s something different about hanging out at the beach, and I want my children to experience it.

I’m excited it’s finally summer. I’ve already enjoyed pontooning, throwing frisbees with my kids, going to my friend’s pool and playing at the park. My children are older now, and I’m no longer tied down to my backyard. I like to think I was too busy taking care of my garden to get other things done — but we all know better.

Just flicked my fifth ant. OK, that might be the problem. I think I’ve just been shewing the same ant away — ugh, time to start smooshing. God, I want to thank you again for making these ants not crunch when you smoosh them. Amen.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams.