The Art of Leaf Raking

Like many of you, I have sat back and admired the beautiful tapestry of colors that have blanked the valley and mountains over the past few weeks. Watching the colors change drastically from day to day makes the daily drive to work slightly more bearable and even therapeutic at times.

However, there are slight problems that are caused by such beauty and amazement. One of those happens to be when those beautiful leaves decide to make their home on your lawn. Leaving your once green lush lawn to be a prisoner to the oppressive yellow and gold blanket.

For many the raking of said leaves is a once or maybe twice a year event during the fall. I am not among those people. Raking leaves becomes a necessity; a battle; a task that if not done right and often enough, you will lose the war and your lawn in the same breath.

Sugarhouse has beautiful, majestic, mature trees. Trees that can grow easily 90 feet in the air. Why the drastic set up for me raking leaves? I have 9 of these behemoth 90ft+ trees in my back yard. Plus six 25ft+ trees in the front and sides of the house.

Needless to say, when the city offers the orange bags for leaves it is enough to attack perhaps the first two rounds of leaf attacks. While many people in the south end of the valley or any new developments have done raking leaves; I have barely begun. Many of the trees have not even begun to turn their color.

This is crucial as if they turn too late in the year; they fall when it snows which means you have to rake in th snow. If you don't; the leaves turn in to a sludge like goop that suffocates your lawn. Don't believe me? Come see the three bald spots my lawn has now because of my underestimating the leaves last winter.

Style of Raking:

I have gone back and forth on this and of the various methods, I landed on the "Saucer" technique. You start in one spot and go in a circle around you. Repeat until the yard is covered. Raking in a straight line is inefficient to move the large pile across my large backyard.

I really can't talk much more about leaves. They are pretty and my trees are a big reason I bought my house and why I choose this location. They are a pain in the ass and I did buy a brand new lawn mower to handle the leaves this year. I'll pass along some pictures when I have more of them once the leaves fall.

Quick Hits:

Here are some random thoughts that have popped up in my head over the past little bit:

- Tessie is a little devil. She has developed a habit (which is currently being broken) of eating her treats in my bed. I'm tired of the crumbs Tessie and it ends now
- I love that Mikey Mike is terrified of being "Rick Rolled". Live your life in fear young padwan....FEAR!!! And it will happen, when you're least expecting it
- I want to welcome Justin back to the driving community. It has been many years, but welcome
- Why does this election feel so much like '04? Cause half the country is going to move to Canada pending the results of the election
- Heidi from "The Hills" supports McCain. McCain supported her back. Enough said. This picture is awesome in of itself
- Yes, I have a stance on the characters from "The Hills". Spencer is a douche and makes the show worth watching. It's like watching a train wreck. Sorry, Ash, but he is the best part of that show for the crazy things he does. How he just appears in a room with those creepy beady eyes. Not to mention how much of a douche he looks like with a beard
- I think Ashley and I agree that this is the reason the Dodgers lost in the playoffs to the Phillies. Not because the Philles were good; but that the Dodgers were cursed when these two became fans
- Have you ever noticed that Brooke Hogan looks like a man? Not, slightly...like a real man in drag
- Hmmmm...Saint Obama? Even I think this is going a little far
- How desperate is McCain? He'll rag on Obama for saying he supports the Phillies vs. Rays. Well, I'll be the first to admit that supporting the Phillies should be avoided at all costs unless your name is Goldie or live in the Philidelphia area
- Kerry cracking a "Depends" joke at McCain is hilarious. But the disturbing side is him using the reference of going commando on the question of boxers or briefs. I wasn't able to eat my cinnamon roll this morning thinking of that. ::UPDATE:: I just found my ability to eat said cinnamon roll
- This is the man who half the country thinks should lead? Wow...
- Utah on tap to tear up the BCS. Ranked #11 now...now it is just for Whittingham to not screw up
- The Rays beat the Sox. I'm okay with it; I promise
- THREE HITS IN GAME 7??? ARE YOU EFFIN' KIDDING ME?
- Seriously, I'm okay with losing to the Rays. At least it's not the Yankees
- THE RAYS? ARE YOU EFFIN' KIDDING ME?
- There is always next year. We have deep talented pitching core and offense. We can fill some holes in on defense and make another run at the title and over take the Rays a top the AL East
- THE RAYS AL EAST CHAMPS??? ARE YOU EFFIN' KIDDING ME? THEY WERE LAST PLACE LAST YEAR??? AGGGGHHHHHHHHH
- ::Taking deep breath:: I'm okay
- Oh, and where was the Patriots team last night last Sunday? But, depsite the score, it was amazing to go to an NFL Game. Oh, and NFL Fans are nuts. I'm not even that much of a fan compared to these guys
- For the love of god...Cassel; please please please keep playing like this for the remainder of the year
- I think the New England area would have experienced riots if they lost Game 7 to the Rays AND got blown out on Monday Night Football to the Broncos. The Patriots win kept stability in New England...for now
- This past week was quite possibly one of the greatest weeks for food; Ashley's Pot Roast, Chicken Tortilla Soup (via Cat's recipe) and beef stroganoff. Pretty solid three days of Ashley's cooking. Needless to say I have a very happy tummy

With that....I am back to work.