Spring in this corner of Georgia announces itself twice — first with pollen on every truck hood, then with a wind off Lake Hartwell that carries it away again. Around Royston that is the signal to begin: the first mow of the year, blades sharp, winter's dull grass taken back to a clean green line. From there it is weekly work — mowing, trimming around trees and fence posts, edging the drive, clearing the walkways — straight through the long push of a Franklin County summer. Hart County yards get the same route on the same day of the week, because grass keeps its own calendar. By the time the lake water warms, the lawns are hitting their stride.