By JOHN GLADDEN

Staff Columnist

Here’s a little song in honor of this week’s official start of summer.

On the first day of summer, my true love gave to me: A shovel and a pine tree.

On the second day of summer, my true love gave to me: Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

On the third day of summer, my true love gave to me: Three iced teas, Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

On the fourth day of summer, my true love gave to me: Four honey-do’s, Three iced teas, Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

One the fifth day of summer, my true love gave to me: Five yards of mulch! Four honey-do’s, Three iced teas, Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

On the sixth day of summer, my true love gave to me: Six hours of weeding, Five yards of mulch! Four honey-do’s, Three iced teas, Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

On the seventh day of summer, my true love gave to me: Seven trees for pruning, Six hours of weeding, Five yards of mulch! Four honey-do’s, Three iced teas, Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

On the eighth day of summer, my true love gave to me: Eight shrubs for trimming, Seven trees for pruning, Six hours of weeding, Five yards of mulch! Four honey-do’s, Three iced teas, Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

On the ninth day of summer, my true love gave to me: Nine flats for planting, Eight shrubs for trimming, Seven trees for pruning, Six hours of weeding, Five yards of mulch! Four honey-do’s, Three iced teas, Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

On the tenth day of summer, my true love gave to me: Ten things for fixing. Nine flats for planting, Eight shrubs for trimming, Seven trees for pruning, Six hours of weeding, Five yards of mulch! Four honey-do’s, Three iced teas, Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

On the eleventh day of summer, my true love gave to me: Eleven bags of compost, Ten things for fixing, Nine flats for planting, Eight shrubs for trimming, Seven trees for pruning, Six hours of weeding, Five yards of mulch! Four honey-do’s, Three iced teas, Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

On the twelfth day of summer, my true love gave to me: Twelve hungry in-laws, Eleven bags of compost, Ten things for fixing, Nine flats for planting, Eight shrubs for trimming, Seven trees for pruning, Six hours of weeding, Five yards of mulch! Four honey-do’s, Three iced teas, Two cans of paint, Plus a shovel and a pine tree.

Have a merry summer.

Gladden may be contacted at gladden@ohio.net or 330-721-4052.