Home ownership is no a bed of roses.
In fact once autumn arrives, it turns
into a sea of leaves. This is our second
fall post finishing our landscaping last
year. Hence we are still ingenues. Yet
we're blessed given we have the help
of primo lawn care experts. Therefore
at this point, they've eliminated most
of our fallen foliage. This year farmer
Frank is in full gear. Meaning that if
or when nature turns a new leaf upon
our clean lawn, it must be summarily
eliminated. Talk about a vicious cycle!
Much like my men - I prefer trees that are
well grounded and mature. Our home plot
has three large and quite established trees
that tower over it. Each spring their green
umbrella explodes and keeps us cool thru
summer. This fall after a polar blast and
several snowfalls, all of their leaves fell
in one deft dump. Leaving most folks in
town to think "leaf us alone." Knowing
that all too soon winter will return many
in town are up to their knees in debris.
However others seem perfectly happy
to let their leaves blow away - our way!
If one doesn't believe the adage "too much
of a good thing" I suggest they take a walk
around the block. Everywhere one looks
there are leaves. Frankly even if you don't
want to pick up said mess, somebody has
do their dirty work. Frank's obviously a
perfectionist. Post weeks of attempting to
stem said red (orange. brown, and yellow)
tide he finally accepted it's like battling a
tsunami with a mop. Why can't the rest
of Lewistown folks clean up their mess?
Must we all fall down? Or even worse,
assume that others will clean up after us?
In the old days one piled them high in
the street gutter and then lit a match.
Whoever decided that said autumnal
ritual was polluting our air must have
been an idiot. Now even in Montana
one cannot burn their leaves within
city limits. However it's obvious that
somebody outside of said boundary
was doing just that yesterday. Hence
a fragrant reminder of times past that
wafted along with the breeze. Given
nothing is ever easy anymore that is
not an option. And so we must rake.
Or better yet, let it blow. One of the most
amazing inventions is the leaf vacuum.
Long ago we purchased our first. While
they may burn out frequently, they are
guaranteed to deliver instant gratification.
And so even if other's debris may blow
our way we'll gladly suck it up - literally.
While it's not the best time that I've had
with a joy stick it transforms trash into
treasure. Therefore until it snows, we'll
mulch our guts out. Repurposing cast
offs into cover ups for our perennials.
Come spring, it will be worth the effort!
