I water trees.

What a summer it has been.  In 2010, I had the opportunity to help with South Dakota State University's landscaping.  I helped plant all the flowers, dead head, weed flowers, pull up and lay down fabric, weed whack, push mow, water trees for 40 minutes a piece, pick up sticks, clean sewer drains, hedge bushes, sweep, and scoop mud.  

I learned so much from a job that would be classified as manual-anyone-can-do-it-labor.

* I learned stick shift.  I also forgot to take the parking break off.  It melt like Backyard BBQ.

* I learned to drive a 600 truck.  A mini-truck!

* I used a chain saw.  You must wear chaps and helmet. 

* Punching in at 7:00 am can be a huge fete.

* I learned not to get close to the ground when weed whacking.  I flung a rock into a window and it shattered!

* I learned I was allergic to Evergreens and Junipers.  I get a rash and swell up.

* I learned some native plants look like weeds.  So ask before you pull them!

* Wind storms are horrible because they last 1 hour but it takes 8 hours to clean up.

* Trees take 50 gallons of water or 40 minutes to water.

* If hedging bushes remember to keep the cord out of the bushes.  You will cut it.  Sparks will fly.  And possible electrocution may occur. 

* Clean up messes when it is dry out.  Scooping mud is 10 times heavier.  Sylvian Theater is awful.

* Dead heading can be a full time job.

* Cows and horses lay down when bad weather is coming.  GET UP COW!!!!

* Always make sure sewer drains are clean or else there is an epic flood.

* Professional flower beds are evenly spaced.  They use sticks to space them.

* After being bit by hundreds of mosquitos you don't feel a thing.

* Tan lines are not attractive, especially when it looks like you have booties on 24/7.

* Water fights are wonderful during the afternoons.  But donuts are not fun to get in the face because it dries into a flaky, sticky, bakery-smelling mess.

* Rain suits make a person look like an Oompa Loompa.

* Never pinch 2500 Petunias without gloves because your hands will be stained.

* Convicts are NOT state employees.  They are convicted felons.

* Always know where your pants are.  It is not fun saying you lost your pants.

* SDSU ice cream at 10:30 am is still delicious.  Even better with a friend while on the clock.

* Riding a payloader scoop after it has been used for coal is extremely dirty, yet fun!

* Do not drive 20 mph on sidewalks.  Pedestrians get scared.

* Generators will burn holes in plastic water containers.

* Not wearing socks with shoes is smart.  You save mucho money on not ruining all your socks.  But they do smell horrible and must be kept outside.

* It is possible to avoid rodents all summer when working outside!!