Apparently you can fill out an application to the county that will allow you to be eligible for a small grant to improve the looks of your yard.

They wanted me to, in 100 words or less, explain with detail and color why my yard is screaming to win the NatureScape Makeover.

Well. Here I go.

Dirt scuttles freely from one part of the yard to the next, eager to find a surface to cling to. It is not a picky sort of dirt, any surface will do: rock, weed or feet.

...but to dream!

If only it could be as lucky as countless particles before it - drawn in through one of the rasping window shaker air conditioners that unenthusiastically hang from antiquated windows...

The yard itself, a ratty thing of crawling vines, aging plywood shutters and the rusting hulks of old barbecue equipment...

It is a place that even dirt is eager to abandon.