After spending the 4th on the couch starring at the TV all day watching mindless shows (with a brief visit to the grocery store), I decided to stay on the “up and up” today by doing some yard work and cooking.  We don’t have bushes, grass or trees, but we have huge weeds some of which are over 5 feet tall growing in the back yard. Mind you, I went to Atlanta for a couple of weeks in June, and when I left, that backyard didn’t look like that at all but was surprised by the mess when I returned.  Since the backyard doubles as a toilet that never gets flushed, I feel that it isn’t my responsibility to go out and de-weed the place, since you might step on some poop in the process.  Moreover, I feel like the owner of the dog who poops in the backyard should actually clean up that poop from time to time.  However, today I felt like making my physical activity “count” so I went out to battle the mess. AND a mess it was! I never finished, but after an attempt that lasted about an hour, I decided to make a delicious salad with spinach, iceberg, red grapes, apples, almonds, bacon bits, and some tangy raspberry pecan dressing.  I’m telling you this because I really enjoyed it. AND although my hands were shaking from the clipper for like 30 minutes, I am more hopeful of not being fined for a housing violation (well, my landlord may not get fined, those bums), and that the dog won’t be devoured by the mess…