Weeds in the Astro Turf

By Dr. R. Scott Clark - Posted at The Heidelblog:

We live in the desert. It is not the sort of cactus-filled desert where Snoopy’s brother Spike lives (that is east of us a few hours) but it is desert nonetheless. That means water is at a premium and people respond by using rocks and xeriscape gardening. Others use artificial turf. The other day, on a regular walk through the neighborhood, we noticed a fascinating phenomenon.

If there was one place where one might expect not to see weeds, it would be in a yard with no grass, in a yard covered with artificial turf. Nevertheless, as we walked past one of these astro-yards, there it was: a weed had grown up underneath the turf, found a seam, and popped through. On the same walk we saw artificial snow that, at first glance, looked remarkably like the real thing.

These two observations are symbolic of a couple of things. First, if there is any place in North America where reality seems to be suspended, it is Southern California. This may be the world’s capital for plastic surgery. It is not unusual to meet people who are rather older than their face suggests. It is not unusual to see senior citizens on bicycles and roller blades. The weather is usually so pleasant here that the effects of the fall seem suspended.

Read more here.