Midday in Morganton is gravel dust and cicadas, the sun straight overhead and Highway 60 shimmering off toward the county line. Ron's Lawn Mowing works right through it — a straight, honest pass over the open ground, then string trimming around the porch piers, the propane tank and the mailbox post. The edge along the drive gets cut so the gravel stays gravel and the lawn stays lawn. The blower takes the cuttings off the steps and the walk last, when everything else is done. Handing back a yard that plainly looks looked-after is a small thing, and it is the whole point of the day.