Gardening......Again

I've written more than once about trying to reclaim my gardens that have gotten completely out of control.  The last 2 years we've made a stab at it by pulling some weeds out in the "middle of the yard" beds and replanting some herbs that had died out.  This morning I walked out in the backyard and "dared" to look down the beds along the back of the house.  There were TREES - 1" in diameter TREES - in my very neglected beds.  I turned and walked back into the house.  Several minutes later I regained my resolve - gathered BIG tools - and started right at the end of the patio.  Instantly a pair of Cardinals created a huge amount of noise and the Mourning Doves joined in.  A closer inspection of the huge Flowering Quince that needed to be tackled first revealed a nest.  So...I carefully pruned a little off of the backside - taking care not to move the bush too much and then quickly moved on.  There are no "before" pictures because that image just doesn't need to be preserved.  Before long John joined me in tackling the jungle.  Three hours later, a 6'x12' section had been completed cleared - all of the old timbers removed - debris moved to the front yard - and a trench dug with 2 timbers marking the new lines.  Over the next few weeks we plan to continue down and around, removing a jungle of old daylilies, blackberry vines, general weeds, and rotten landscape timbers.  Pictures will follow when enough is accomplished to share.  I felt my 57 years today.  20 years ago I could continue at the pace for 6-8 hours.  3 hours was my limit and I'm worn out.  I plan to start earlier in the morning.  It was hot when we stopped working at 12:30.  I am very pleased with the progress and so blessed that my hubby who really doesn't like gardening is hanging in there with me.