Outside the window by my writing desk, my neighbor graciously planted a rose garden. The intense red of the blooming roses sharply contrasts the verdant grass of his yard. The red cedar mulch gives the landscape bricked garden shape a formal look. Yes, I know he planted it for his wife, but his placement gives me pleasure as well: I doubt he realizes that.

When my ex-husband and I bought this place, I fell in love with the park-like view of the backyards that connect. After 24 years in this neighborhood, there are still no fences to destroy the openness of the view. Various species of pine and fir trees, oak and maple trees, and unique individual trees stand majestically in the space.

Of course, when we first moved here, the trees were much shorter. The home had been standing vacant for at least six months, but the idea of being surrounded by corn fields, farms, and forest preserves and the peaceful surroundings sold the home.

The yard has seen numerous changes over the years. I have a meditation garden where the birds can bathe in cool (ok, in the heat we've been having I doubt it is cool) water and the favored flowers of the year grow. Also, I usually maintain a vegetable garden out back, but this year the weeds took over far too early and I have decided that I will kill the weeds and go back to the veggies next year.

The front has seen a variety of trees planted, bushes removed, and the strip of soil between the house and the sidewalk is waiting to be finished off with pavers and various perennials.

Unfortunately, yard work takes time, and I only have 24 hours each day. As I work to clean, update, and organize the guts of my house, the accessorizing of the outside is going to take time.