English ivy (Hedera helix) is a curse, my battle to push back this marauding vine overtaking the north corner of the garden. 

Gardening is always showing the virtues of acceptance. The reality is the English Ivy must be managed or it will overtake the entire property over time. This has been ongoing for decades with periods of total denial that it's at the end of the property and won't spread, but the birds eat the berries and drop seeds through their poop and it shows up everywhere in little plants that left unknowingly will create an invasion everywhere including the neighbors yards.

 With acceptance comes patience, and I know I'll have to return to ripping out ivy over and over. It's the never ending story. 

Its manual removal will be an ongoing chore with many other demanding chores throughout the year. February is a good time to tackle a patch of it.  I'll hone in on my tenacious skills and rip it out here and there, knowing it's not enough back breaking work. I need help. Maybe fire?l I sometimes dream about setting it all on fire.  Humility, humor and companionship are strong positions from which to start any journey of growth and I'm grateful to know it so well from daily exercise in the natural world and in this particular childhood garden. The ivy is a curse that I plan to challenge the rest of my days left here in my garden.  Whatever I leave behind will be someone else's challenge.  I just hope that they don't use chemicals to tackle the job. 

I believe that organic gardeners are the true martyrs of the land.