I think we have already had more leaves fall to the ground than what had fallen by the time winter began last year.
Did winter begin in October last year?
Probably so.
Since there's no real sign of winter for the next few days, we might be able return to the usual leaf pickup season that normally allows for all leaves except those from the oak tree to be hauled off from the yard before snow flies.
I started that process yesterday. The best part of getting it all started was that I didn't have to have a go through a conniption to attach my bag apparatus to the mower.
Conniption fits have been fairly standard during this process in most years.
Yesterday I took my time and held my composure and, by golly, each attachment went into place without putting up a rebellious fuss----which does lead to Marianne conniptions.
So, that was a great start.
The next test---was the bag apparatus going to stay in place once I started mowing---went well too.
No guarantees that the equipment is gonna behave every day throughout the next few weeks, but for now I'm quite happy.
I was able to pick up approximately 731,439 leaves yesterday, give or take a few.
Today I'll continue, and once I've covered the entire lawn for the first round, I'll start over again and again and again because the estimated amount of leaves falling from trees in the Lovestead lawn would be 17, 502,331--give or take a few.
Usually, I'm following this routine through November.
All I ask is that the leaves keep falling and that the equipment holds together through the season AND that winter doesn't come before November.
Speaking of winter, Bill went north to Snow Creek yestreday to cut some more wood. For some reason, Snow Creek seems like a good place to get the winter wood.
Yesterday afternoon I took a break from my lawn work to visit my friend Helen. I took the dogs, and they received satisfactory marks on their behavior in the car.
I'm sure Helen may have felt a bit nervous during the visit because, while we talked, I maintained an obvious "launch off" position, constantly worrying that the two doggies in the car would get into a tussle.
One time, almost in mid-sentence, I did launch off and checked on them.
They seem to have negotiated an agreement, at least for now, to behave when Mom's gone from the car. Foster still gets to ride shotgun while Bridie sits in the driver's seat.
I'm hoping---like the lawnmower equipment---that the two will cooperate and make Mom's life easy on a regular basis.
Later, while I was mowing and picking up leaves in the front yard, a fancy red jeep went by, and the driver waved.
I didn't recognize the vehicle but thought the wave was nice.
A moment or so later as I turned the lawnmower around for a new swath, I saw the jeep rolling into the driveway.
"You don't recognize me," the driver said.
Well, he was almost right because I couldn't really see his face with my pre-cataract-removal eyes, but I did recognize the lady riding shotgun.
She was a former student---a great one too. Tammy took journalism from me during her high school years.
Once I recognized Tammy, I could confidently say, "You are Scott."
Scott and Tammy dropped by to leave a campaign sign. He's running for school board from our zone.
"You can put it in the manure spreader," I said, then explaining to him that the manure spreader sits far enough off the road that thieves have to be really committed to steal campaign signs.
Plus, all the people using the back road to the dump and the neighbors and any of the gazillions who seem to drive our dirt road can see that sign.
So, after we visited a while and Bill came home with his wood, the Wood sign went up just behind the pumpkins in the manure spreader.
So, yes, I'm going to vote for Scott on Nov. 7 and so is Bill.
In other news, it was a disappointing day to be an Ireland fan in yesterday's World Cup rugby match, but they came close. We don't mind the winner, though, because we also love New Zealand.
I also watched some of the action in some wild and woolly football games, again with some close outcomes.
Hoping there's a good outcome this morning when the Seahawks take on the Cincinnati Bengals.
GO, Seahawks.
Another beautiful fall day ahead with more leaf pickup, more football and maybe even more doggie drives.
Happy Sunday.
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