Snails

When Tiff and I were little we did something that was a great bother to our father. As we moved about the house throughout the day, we would tend to leave tidbits of ourselves behind. For example, a sweater on the floor in the hallway, a food wrapper on the table in the living room, an empty cup of milk on the bar, our backpack in the middle of the walkway, etc. This became known as our "snail trail". Dad would say, "Laura, clean up your snail trail," and I knew that mean I needed to go around the house and find all the items I had left behind. Dad always thinks of such clever names for things! I tell this story to intro my new job as a homeowner.
     I no longer leave snail trails behind, I leave snail guts. There is a huge hibiscus bush in the common area outside our condo. Well, there was, until the snails chewed all the leaves down to the stems. They have eaten that thing alive! There is another hibiscus bush along the wall of our house that is not so badly destroyed but definitely has been visited by a few slimy things. With my new garden just a few feet away from such destruction, I make it my personal duty to protect not only my square of land but also the hibiscus bushes. Today, I was out there searching for snails; as I found them, I plucked them off and squashed them. I do not like touching them but if I don't, they will grow bigger, make their way over to my land, and multiply! So, I touch them. When I feel like I am being ridiculous, I encourage myself with, "One more squashed snail is one less that can reproduce!"
     I found 2 that had crept over my wall and into my secret garden...they were squashed extra hard! I sprinkled poison for the ones that were out of sight...hasta la vista, baby!

xo, p&l