Our side yard has turned into a goat’s head farm.
If you read that subtitle fast you might be thinking: “Oh, RVSue is raising farm animals.”
No.
I’m talking about goat’s head the weed, its scientific nomenclature being Tribulus terrestris which is Latin for “tribulation and terror on planet earth” or something.
It’s also called “puncture weed.”
I’ve encountered this plant before.
Yet I never paid attention to its stems and leaves, because at the time I was more concerned with the nasty prongs it produces. Hence, my lack of alarm when it first appeared in the side yard. I didn’t recognize it because it didn’t have prongs yet.
Oh, the weed-wacker will take care of this new weed, no problem . . . .
Ha. Little did I know.
I first realized the yard was being taken over by goat’s heads when my beloved Gorilla cart got a flat tire. I find a goat’s head deeply embedded in the tread. The round part is almost as big as a marble and the prongs/barbs/spears are about a half-inch long.
I look around and the darn things are everywhere!
Goat’s heads are designed with evil intent.
As I understand it, during medieval times, they were used as weapons of war. Here’s an illustration of a goat’s head weapon:
Those round things fall to the ground and, while propped on two prongs, another prong juts straight up.
This is so when you step on one it will go right through the sole of your shoe into the sole of your foot.
Imagine a hundred or more of these things lying in wait. Walking across a goat’s head infested yard is akin to crossing a mine field — You’re definitely pushing your luck.
No wonder the boys have been staying out of that yard.
My poor Gorilla cart!
Right away I jump onto Amazon and order a pack of four replacement tires.
I depend on my Gorilla!
Switching out the flat tire with a new one is quick and easy, just remove a cotter pin.
Gorilla is back in service with one white wheel along with her three original black ones.
If you’d like a Gorilla of your own, go shopping at Amazon through this link:
What to do to save the side yard from goat’s heads?
My research reveals that eradicating goat’s heads is a very big challenge. Scan this article and you’ll see what I mean:
“How To Get Rid Of Goat’s Heads”
I was appalled. It would be easier to have the yard removed with a front end loader and have a dump truck drop a load of top soil. I am not kidding.
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On a happier note . . . .
Yucca are blooming! We have yucca plants scattered all around the house.
Every long-time Arizona resident with whom I’ve talked yucca has said the same thing — and I’m quoting here — “Get RID of the damn things.”
Well, I’m still an Arizona newbie because I like our yucca. They shoot up their magnificent spires as a mark that spring will soon end and summer is approaching fast. (We’re going up to 97, maybe 99 degrees, this week.)
I suppose someday I’ll back my butt into the sharp “leaves” and exclaim, “I’m getting RID of those damn things!”
Until that day, I’ll enjoy their fresh beauty.
Side note:
Reggie became frantic this morning, barking furiously at something in the back yard. It took me a while to figure out what was wrong. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is snake or some other wild creature.
Reggie was in a panic!
Finally I figured out his problem. Take another look at the photo of the yucca and privacy fence. The yucca spires were waving in the breeze causing their shadows to dance on the fence. Reggie saw monsters.
I carried him over to the fence and he was okay. Kind of like a little kid needing to check the closet before bed.
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The Neighbor That Isn’t.
Our neighbor to the rear of our property is an empty mobile home in a state of decline, to put it charitably. The home is in bad shape but its stately saguaro is a fine specimen. This year it’s putting out several buds that I hope will bloom.
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Thrifty decorating continues!
You may recall a photo in a previous post showing our living room loveseat with cushions from the thrift store. I wasn’t really happy with those cushions. Since nice cushions are only $2-$4 each, I can afford to make mistakes. I replaced the cushions with two red ones and two with a white and grey pattern.
The living room is on the north side of the house and could use lightening up. That’s why I painted the black chest of drawers a lighter color and one of these days I’ll paint the walls.
I got a great deal on curtain rods!
If you’ve ever had bare windows to dress you know how expensive it can be, the rods and curtains combined.
See the black rod? I got four of them for five dollars, complete with mounting brackets!
These take care of the two windows in the laundry room and the two in the spare bedroom. With the money saved it was less painful ordering the brand new curtains.
Here are the curtains at Amazon, and, I must say, now that I have them, I can attest they’re worth the investment.
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What have Reg and Rog been up to lately?
The usual stuff!
Eating
Attacking each other
Being cute
What have YOU been up to?
rvsue
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RVSue and her canine crew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I appreciate those of you who use the links I post in order to go shopping at Amazon. Thank you. — Sue
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