The first mow of the year on Sand Mountain always arrives a week earlier than anyone expects — the dogwoods come out white along the county road toward Powell and suddenly the yards need cutting. Miguel and son landscaping starts the season there and holds the line all the way to the last leaf in November. Grass cut to an even height, trimmer work run out to the mailbox post and around every tree ring, hard surfaces blown clean before the trailer gate goes up. Rainsville summers are long and wet enough to keep everything growing hard, so the route keeps its cadence week after week. Pull up to a finished yard at dusk and the stripes still hold in the low light.