All the other neighbors had already done it. Today was our turn. We cleaned up all the leftover fall and winter debris from all around the house. To make the job easier — and to get at the pesky leaves that wedge their way into the hedges surrounding most of our yard — we invested in a new 200 MPH/285 CFM gas-powered leaf blower (50% at Sears, not a bad deal despite its not having come in a box or with instructions). While researching leaf blowers, I learned that only certain gas-powered blowers can be purchased in California (certainly due to the strictest emissions standards in the country). Our leaf blower would probably be illegal in San Francisco. Of course, who the hell needs a leaf blower in the City by the Bay?
So we spent the entire afternoon — probably three or four hours — blowing and raking and pruning and cleaning. When all was said and done, we had filled our one yard can (probably 60 gallons) and two 30-gallon leaf bags full of debris. Gathering one hundred and twenty gallons of leaves, pine needles, and other yard junk is no small task. But it’s a satisfying one. We also busted out our four solar-powered garden lamps and positioned them strategically around our house.
The front and back lawns now look great — like Jane and Sarah, we have improved our curb appeal — and are officially ready for spring and summer, and all the parties and glow-in-the-dark bocce ball the outdoor seasons will bring. (We broke in the grill last night for the first time since last year, too.)
After the yard work, we enjoyed some beers on our front lawn while basking in the glorious spring sun. I awed at the deep blue richness of the sky with not a cloud in sight. It’s funny to think that just over two months ago, the temperature was 14 below 0.
Today we also performed the ceremonial shutting off of the heater to give it a rest from its six-month-per-year job.
Four years ago today I was job hunting. Two years ago today I was having wedding anxiety dreams.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Jordan // Apr 9, 2005 at 7:57 pm
They do make electric leaf blowers. Combine that with your participation in GreenUp and you can clean your yard without feeling any twinge of environmental guilt. You’ll be doing your part to reduce dependence on foreign oil and fight terrorism!
2 Jonty Yamisha // Apr 10, 2005 at 11:50 pm
But if we don’t buy gas-powered leaf blowers, and 8 MPG SUVs, and keep putting stuff on our credit card….
Where will President Bush’s “Ownership Society” be then, I ask you?
And for that matter, where will President Bush himself be? Imported oil is what makes puts food on his table.
You’re not trying to get us to push President Bush from the White House to the Poor House, are you?
Don’t buy imported oil. BAH! How un-American of you!
(Of course, this rant was all a big joke.)