How my writing was interrupted today

A local lawn company sent a solicitor to my door today.

TruGreen man:  Hello, I was treating your neighbor’s lawn today and was wondering if you might be interested in our lawn care service.

Me:  No, thank you. We’re all set.

TruGreen man:  Are you sure?

Me: Yes.

TruGreen man:  Can I ask what you’re currently doing for the lawn to keep it healthy?

Me:  Keeping TruGreen employees off it. Now leave.

It should also be noted that TruGreen ChemLawn dropped the second half of its name about two years ago, becoming just TruGreen. According to the company’s website, the name was changed because:

“…one word is all you need for a great lawn. We have shortened our name to make it easier for you to remember that we are the experts of lawn care.”

Thank goodness for this blessed bit of corporate wisdom. I have to admit that the lengthy, two-word name was tricky to remember, so one word, albeit a compound one, is much better.

I’m sure that it had nothing to do with the implication and constant reminder (through the use of the word Chemlawn) that this company is routinely bathing our lawns and shrubs in chemicals so potent that they necessitate planting little yellow warning flags after each treatment.