A day's work runs a long loop — up Gordon Highway, out through the side streets, a dozen properties that each want twenty honest minutes. Mow, trim, edge, blow the walks, load up, go. There is a rhythm to that many stops, and the trick is making sure the tenth yard gets the same attention as the first. Augusta grows for the better part of nine months and hardly ever stops entirely, so the loop keeps turning from the first warm weeks of spring until growth finally quits in late fall. At dusk the truck is dusty and the list is crossed through, which is a satisfying way to end a day.