Leaves
Oh, how I did not want to get out into the yard yesterday! But no matter what I did, my mind kept taking me back to the fact we still had the last of the fall leaves in the yard.
About 2:30pm, after a light lunch, I struggled to get my body downstairs and into work gear, sweats, pullover, old Adidas sneakers and my Army Reserve ball cap and up with the garage door.
It is warm outside and the sweatshirt comes off as it is T-shirt only weatherI have seen the roof from the street and know if I don't get the leaves and pine straw off the roof, my cleaning the yard and driveway will all be in vain. I untether the 150 feet of HD electrical cord, hook it up and get the 150 mph new Toro leaf blower in play.
The roof is a no-no for us old guys and I don't remember when I was on the roof last. I had a new roof and gutter covers put on some <5 years ago, making the roof unnecessary to clean gutters anymore. But leaves and some pine straw just refuses to blow off in a timely manner and this is or hopefully my last fall clean up as far as leaves are concern.
I call Karen and she watches me struggle up my extension ladder, her heart beating fast all the way. I make it up without a problem and she helps me up with the Toro. I clean the roof like in no time and lots clutter blows off into the yard in probably 10-15 minutes. Now down the ladder and put it away and Karen is dismissed from watching her hubby now.
The deck, the walk, the backyard, and top of the driveway is all blown down to the back where my leaves are rotting for next years mulch and fill dirt. The front drive, then along the "Jason" tile walk that leads to the front door and across in front of the house, heading all the leaves and trash toward the steet.
15 minutes this side of 2 hours later I have the yard and drive done, and then blow down the Meyers yard next door as I am here with the right tool and it looks like rain. I go as far out into the circle as my cord allows me and all the leaves and dirt and dust is now piled next to the street ready for the leaf vacuum. I was just finishing the Meyers yard when I fell large rain drops hitting the bill on my Army Reserve ball cap.
I look into the 12 to 15 trees in and surrounding my yard and all are now bear of leaves. My roof is done and I checked all the fittings around the chimney, 4 or 5 vents and all are in great shape, sealed my White Roofing as I ask him to do. The gutter caps are all securely attached and all the crud is now removed from the seams letting the rain, when we get some, move harmlessly into the yard. My rain trough extensions are secure and all the litter is ready for Vestavia City Services to come.
I am calling, faxing, and emailing Vestavia today and Monday urging a swift and timely pickup. Karen and I will be gone from December 22 to January 3rd or 4th so we need to get this stuff gone. I have someone looking after Gracie and they are taking care of mail and the papers.
Merry Christmas to my extended family, now let me get my shower and run some errands Ms Karen has on her list for me today. See ya until....
Karen's husband Jeff
