In selecting my word PLAY for 2012 I knew it would be open for lots of interpretations. I really had no clear definition of what
play would mean to me. So in that vein, these are my tools that allowed me to
play the last few days. Yes, the humble rake in both small metal and large plastic versions. Mr. C and I live on 10 acres of mountainous terrain with tons of trees and all they drop. Fortunately we only landscaped and detail maintain 2 acres. As we age this becomes a huge amount of work for us. Therefore I decided to make a chore into
play. I tackle only one small area and see how long it takes me to complete. Am I only fooling myself?
Here is a pile of lovely Fall leaves. These are mostly Oak, Maple, Redbuds and Crepe Myrtles. No, I do not want to jump into this pile and
play. I am not much for getting dirty.
Here are two of our large trash containers that I filled with raked debris. I had to leave room for the compactor bags of real trash.
This is down the side of our steep driveway...16% grade! Mr. C raked 18 piles of pine needles and twigs and debris. Somehow he doesn't think of this as
play.
And here is a container of more leaves and rose clippings that I managed to accumulate. You can see I have not done any of the detail pick up which requires me to crawl around on my hands and knees. Our winter weather is very warm so far but the ground is wet and cold and I am still getting over my being sick so I do not want to risk getting damp.
The huge trees really make a mess when the wind blows. There are cedar droppings and limbs everywhere and they really make it a challenge to rake. Here is another pile I can't fit into my overly full wheelbarrow. I also can't lift the wheelbarrow so Mr. C will be helping me.
After all my
play I got to do, this is the reward...a clean lawn ready for winter snow. It really does feel good to get this done. Of course this is only a drop in the bucket for all the area we need to do.
From reading your blogs it would seem that 2012 is off to a really creative start.
I am so grateful for all of your comments and I really must admit that I look forward to them. Do you enjoy comments left on your blogs?
Blissful and Creative 2012 to each of you...
