OK. It's a great photo. I love the fact that she's getting down to gardening at the White House. But I can't help stopping in my tracks at the sight of what she's wearing, buckled shiny boots and a dress more suitable for a day in the office.
But I hope. I tell my inner cynic to STFU.
And then I look across the street and see my neighbour, washing his sidewalks and not content with that, washing the gutters around his property, combing his lawns, removing every leaf from last year's fall, every stray feather and pebble. Then he polishes the driveway. Hundreds of gallons of clean water splashing carelessly down the grates. Never was a man more servant to his vehicles and his buildings and his cement. {Sorry for the quality - I didn't want him to see me taking his photo!}
Give me Michelle. Any day.
I dunno, Mary. Those boots and stretchy skirt thingie look pretty serviceable to me. Besides, can you imagine the drubbing the poor woman would get in the media if she wore dungarees and wellies!
ReplyDeleteYour neighbour is an idiot. I hope his water bill gives him heartburn.
She dresses just like I do every day and I do everything in my clothes, so I guess she can too. I ride my bike in a very nice dress with high heeled boots, after all.
ReplyDeleteYour neighbor ought too have his had examined and his water bill.
I once lived in a suburban housing co-op, it was my brief introduction to suburban life. One of my striking memories of that time was the peer pressure to spend my Saturday mornings washing my car! That's what all my neighbours did on Saturday morning, wash the car. They even mentioned it to me, that mine was the only car in the co-op that wasn't shiny spanking clean on Saturday afternoons.
ReplyDeleteFortunately we did not have huge lawns or driveways, otherwise I am sure I would have been pressured into doing what your neighbour does as well. Strange lifestyle!
PS - in my neighbourhood we paid a flat rate for water, you could run your hose night and day for all the municipality cared. I hope your neighbourhood is not on a flat rate.
I'd like to have seven young volunteers to help me with my garden - that would speed things up a bit! I wonder if the neighbour is equally obsessive about the inside of the house or whether that's a complete tip and it's all about appearances?
ReplyDeleteI suspect Michelle's contribution is "token gardening", but it's the thought that counts! What a thrill for those kids!
ReplyDeleteI'm always complaining about people around here leaving their lawn sprinklers on and wasting water - or indeed having sprinklers at all. Wasteful in the extreme. Water flowers and veggies, but leave the grass to fend for itself - it knows how to do it, and where is it written that it has to be green ALL the time?
@Tessa:
ReplyDeleteAh c'mon Tessa, she was already for the photo op but she did get a powerful message across. We. Are. Running. Out. Of. Food. Start. Growing.
@Irene:
You seriously would garden dressed like this? OK I give you that. I know, with the neighbour, blissfully unaware of water conservation in conscience.
@RJA:
To the post or to my lady commenters? ;^)
@Anne:
I'm so grateful this is only my temporary home until April 30th. I absolutely could not live here by choice.
@Nick:
From the look of the inside from the curb I'd say equally OCD on the interior. He took 2 hours to roll a swimming pool blanket the other day. He's my entertainment from my office as I overlook him.
@T:
Speaking of ~ have you heard of moon gardening, no watering, right up your field of interest I would think. I cringe when I see neighbour.
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you had better believe that no first lady has ever worn boots like that before.
ReplyDeleteDamn fine serious boots alright Laurie!
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Well, these days I don't often ride my bike in a nice dress and high-heeled boots, but apart from that - hear, hear to both the piece and your lady commentators. ;-)
ReplyDeleteRJA:
ReplyDeleteWell do let us know on the rare occasions when you do wear such fine attire!!
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