Ev and I spent yesterday cleaning up the yard after Hurrican ian. We are surrounded by seventeen acres of pine forest owned by the city of Palm Bay. Normally, we are thankful for this; however, the storm dropped pound after pound of pine straw in our yard. It is hard to rake out of the grass, but knowing the lawn care people were coming this morning, we knew we had to clean up some of this mess or they would not like how this stuff would dull their mower blades. So we got out the grass rakes and filled two large barrels of brown pine needles. We have a large pile by the road out front for the town to pick up. So glad it wasn’t pinecone season as well.
Then I took piles of fern plants out of the pond. They had multiplied so much during the summer than we couldn’t see the water or the water lilies, the stars of the pond. That added dripping masses to the pile as well.
However, now that the pond area is somewhat cleaned up, I’ll be able to plant marigolds and other plants I picked up yesterday to bring us much joy as fall and winter approach.
I loved the change of seasons in the north. Here, it’s not so apparent. It is noticeably cooker today, though, so I am enjoying writing on the back porch. The humidity is low and there’s a delightful breeze. I have cleaned up the porch since the “big blow.” That took a two day effort with the shop vac. Nothing to complain about like others face in our beautiful state of Florida.
So, it has been a delightful morning, and I’m grateful. Hope your day is as lovely as mine. Sunshine, time to write, and a beautiful day enjoying nature and leisure time.
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