Spring in Florida

NOT Florida

Florida can't seem to make her mind up. There are hot days, there are what we Floridians consider to be cold days, there are rainy days, and there are dry days, even though the dry days are more humid that most other states rainy days.

This time of year is always interesting to me, because only now do the leaves of last year stop falling. It's useless to try to keep up with the falling leaves by raking while they are falling, so we Floridians wait until the oak trees decide to finish shedding, and wow did they shed this year. Last weekend I went to Lowes for leaf bags, they were all sold out. I wound up buying a 40 pack of 55 Gallon liner bags, the kind you use in an automotive shop, not usually what are used to packing yard waste out by the curb. My wife and two children started raking while I was gone, and by the time I returned they were about halfway through the back yard. I started bagging, they kept raking, and we kept at it until close to dinner time.

The leaves in Florida are not big, pretty, fluffy, dry leaves like in the way too happy picture above. They are soaking wet when you start raking them, and turn to dust before you bag them. Florida leaves do not want to be raked. They like their home on the ground all mingled in with the grass and vines and they are not going to leave without a fight.

Our house sits on 1/3rd of an acre of land, and well over half of that was covered in leaves. I put 40 - 55 gallon bags by the road, each weighing around 100lbs... 100lbs. Per bag. Of leaves. Or about the weight of the family mini van.

I'm glad you read this all the way to the bottom, because there is no pay off. I just wanted others to revel in our suffering.

Last night I filled 6 more bags, and I estimate there are about 10 more bags worth to go, then on to the front yard.

Love and peace,
Austin