Rose Cottage Ltd

So you head out on a nice holiday morning to enjoy a bit of fresh air – maybe sweep leaves from the deck and rake the yard.

Then you hear it. That annoying whine of some neighbor’s leaf blower. Power up, power down, start, stop. And on, and on, and on with that annoying and incessant whining.

So I have a whine of my own – “Get a rake and a broom!!!”

I heard the neighbor’s leaf blower – and this is not my next-door neighbor either but one some 5 houses away – for almost 30 minutes before I ventured outside. Since all the lots in this neighborhood are under a half-acre, I reckoned that in 30 minutes or so he should be just about finished. But no.

So on I go with my quiet broom and clear the deck of all leaves. I then head to the garage for my quiet rake and do a fairly thorough job of raking all the leaves that fell during or after yesterday’s rain. In 30 minutes give or take, I am done. He is still blowing – and being heard by everyone within a mile radius.

I hate unnecessary noise and let’s face it, the world is full of it. I also think it is beneficial to the grass to get a good raking once and awhile. I’ve always maintained a good lawn so am not likely to change my way of thinking on this subject.

While I am sweeping and raking, my arms and cardiovascular system are getting a good workout. A nice benefit for anyone over 50. In the end of things, my yard, deck and driveway will look just as good as his, my neighbors will still be unaware that I have even BEEN outside, and my body got a bit of a workout other than just standing around with a noisy piece of ridiculous equipment in my hand.

Score one for me…and on he still blows…