Today is Thursday the 23rd of June and were almost halfway through the summer can you believe it. It seem to me that you wait and wait to get past the winter (at least here in the Northeast) then some years a wet soggy spring and finally your rewarded with sunny warm weather.

Once it arrives you run madly around getting your yard ready for outdoor activities. You dash off the the local nursery to purchase a few new perennials (that you hope will grow) several varieties of annuals to fill up the pots for the steps, Oh yes and dont forget the hanging baskets.

Now you dont mind paying (in some cases) ridicules prices for these beautiful flowers after youve waited it seems like forever just to be able to put them out and admire them. Im sure that most of you (this author is not included here) have already gotten your yard, gardens, patios and decks spruced up and have already been enjoying this wonderful summer season.

No, well if you happen to be a late starter (this is where yours truly comes in) its not to late. In fact here is my list, maybe you can use it to get ready and start having fun.

Lets see, Saturday morning arrives, time to check the to-do list.

1) Drag out pots and planters, clean then fill with potting mix (you did remember to pick up some right) then plant annuals.

2) Weed and prepare ground for new Perennials

3) Put up hangers on porch and put shepherds hooks into ground, hang up hanging baskets.

4) Get patio furniture out of storage and clean off.

5) Clean up spilled dirt (from annual planting) put away tools used for hangers.

6) Place pots of flowers on steps.

7) Water everything, roll hose back up.

8) Sweep patio or deck, place furniture around, put up planters.

9) Sweep once more.

10) Mow the lawn.

11) Make dinner, fire-up the grill

Hold up a minute, need to check and see if Ive started relaxing and having fun yet.

Well so goes the life of a Last Minute Lucy.

Of course all of us late starters dont really seem to mind, after the initial marathon weekend getting everything in order (ever notice we cant seem to spread things out) we now have the whole summer to sit back and enjoy all our hard work.

Oh, did I mentioned its about halfway through summer, sorry just thought Id remind everyone once again.

I personally do not care how long it takes me to get things done outside, just having the opportunity to be outside in the warm sunshine is enough (maybe thats why I take so long, it give me more excuses to be out there).

So enjoy all those outside chores and activities, before you know it, it will be time for fall clean up. That by the way is only about three months away, so you might what to start thinking about it now.

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