February 25, 2021. Playa Royale, Mexico. Backyards.

Ken was a good gardener. He had what you would call was a green thumb. Our backyards were always beautiful although he was not much interested in flowers. He always had the boys work along with him although they were not always thrilled working alongside Ken, who was exacting. David learned the craft but it wasn't until he owned his own house that he realized how much he enjoyed working in the yard. Once David said to me," I enjoy working in the garden. What I did not like was working with Ken". The reason of course was that Ken was alays in charge. Now David's backyards are beautiful. And he is in charge and works very hard. David and Suzanne sold their home of 19 yers. The new owners were delighted with the backyard. The yard had lovely flowering shrubs and trees with flowers blooming in every month of the year. It was a show piece. But much to David's surprise, the new owners did not ask him any questions about the maintenance such as what planting needed protection when the weather approaches 32 degrees. With a period of time with temperatures close to zero, David commented to me that no planting in that yard were installed expecting for arctic temperatures. His guess is that 90% of all the plantings would have died, unless they were protected. David is resisting the urge to drive by to see what survived. Fortunately, their new house will have a full makeover both front and back so nothing has been installed. Next week a company will dig up the whole back yard and set out the areas for David to install the shrubs and tree. The plan sounds wonderful. There will be an outside kitched just off the main kitchen with patios and walkways and a gazebo. When I visit late in May the instation will be complete, I hope. I am keen to see another lovely backyard done by David.