[The Outlaw]

I have to fight this dragon all summer long. I've noticed that wild birds happily pull up worms from my decidely scraggly lawn all summer long and yet they fail to find anything next door. I'd rather have the delightful little yellow dandelion anyday than that lush green carpet to my left. In fact, I harvest the leaves and feed them to my flock.

Its all about what you want. I don't really care for the perfectly manicured yard that no one ever walks on. I prefer the more natural and hardy stuff that exists here, can stand the occasion volleyball tournament and the recent addition of a go kart track.

However, I respect my neighbor's right to a lush lawn. I, too, ask that on days that they spray I be notified. I won't let them go outside to play until the wind has died down. The very things that they spray for are the natural diet of many native birds. If its killing the bugs, its gonna effect the diner, and that's for sure. We have a shakey truce here: I tolerate ChemLawn and my uncle puts up with happy squealing parrots all summer long.