McDonough wakes up in stages: the highway first, then the neighborhoods, then the birds in the pines out toward Ola and Kelleytown. Veterans Lawn Care of Georgia is out ahead of most of it — mowing a straight route, edging the walks and drives, trimming the corners, finishing with a blow-down so the pavement is as clean as the grass. Weekly service through the long growing season, cleanups when the leaves finally come down. The work is simple and it's done the same way every time, which is how a yard stays sharp instead of needing rescue. There's a quiet pride in a property that never looks behind.