Sticks

Sticks and stones might break my bones.

Well, sticks, mainly...they are everywhere. Every day, there are new sticks on the ground like mean little deliveries. Some sticks are small. These ones are the worst, because they are the most numerous kind. Little twigs that, when left to collect on the ground, dirty up the sidewalk, embed in the grass, and clog up the gutters. Some sticks are big. These are easily spotted and also easier to clean up, but are a pain nonetheless. And, some sticks are huge. Big dead branches that fall during storms or sometimes for no apparent reason at all. No matter how big or small, sticks are a daily issue.

It is great to be living under and around large, mature trees. I think it's beautiful. The view from the front porch is spectacular. From the steps, I can look straight up into the crown of a very large, gangly deciduous tree (I'm not sure what species it is yet...gotta break out the ID guide sometime). And there is also a decent-size maple out front as well. Both of these trees add to the character of both the house and the neighborhood. But picking up the "castings" from these trees is a real chore. I could easily ignore the issue, but then the stuff accumulates and then it makes us look like slobs. Besides, I love being outdoors and don't mind the stick cleanup so much, but it does get a little old after awhile. Like, why can't they just stay on the trees where they belong?

Yeah, just wait until October...

Joe