6 THE TAU. D2UsBOuN = BeU: lies eee 
An example of the thick leaf mulch in the 
border planting, with several Russian 
olives, a volunteer ironwood, and a basswood. 
We moved to Highland Park — 25 miles north of 
Chicago — where they have trees too, if they're not elms. 
(That’s another story.) 
We would and could also have wild flowers, too. We 
discovered one coming up through the hard clay fill from our 
crawl space excavation. It was a blood root. It didn’t seem 
to be discouraged, even if we were. Slightly. 
Ha, we thought, flowers and landscaping for free! That 
would help with the mortgage. Investigate! We allowed our 
yard of grass to ‘‘grow up’ but trimmed it to a free form. 
Used the hose arranged as a guide and pattern for the shape. 
That would save work. Much less grass to mow. 
The border grew. Had lots of ‘‘weeds,”’ neighbors thought. 
And birds began to help. Ate our weed seeds. Deposited other 
