Thanks to Alistair for hosting Sunday Photo Fiction. If you’d like to join in, visit here.
Leaves
When I was little, it was our chore to rake the leaves into a big pile, which we then jumped in and scrambled again. I still remember the smell of the dry leaves or how the ones at the bottom, damp, would stick together and that smell of moldering. Or how, when it seemed we were done, the winds would come and wine-colored maple leaves would rain down upon us.
Today the leaf blowers are out, their engines throbbing like a revving Harley. The kids are indoors plastered to their electronics.
Fun isn’t simple anymore.
9/24/2017
Those were the days my friend! Happy memories.
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Yes, thanks, Keith!
Kids are indoors plastered to their electronics. How very true. Excellent writing, Sascha.
Thank you, Neel!
Short but beautifully written and bang on target. I’m sorry to admit I own a leaf-vacuum, but spend so much time clearing blockages that it’s quicker to get the rake out.
On a positive note, a farm near us has opened up one of its fields as an outdoor play centre. There are climbing frames, tunnels, hills and piles of logs and sticks to build dens with. Kids and adults (particularly grandparents) love it – and there are no electronics in sight.
That sounds wonderful. It takes kids to nature, which I’m all for.
I’ve always thought there was something meditative about raking (as long as you don’t keep thinking about how much yard is left. 🙂 ) .
I agree. Manual labour can be a restorative experience, but probably only when you’re doing it as a hobby. I’m not sure I’d feel the same if it was something I had to do to keep food on the table. Much respect to those who do.
How true I went back to my childhood – thanks Sascha 🙂
Always nice to revisit.
Thanks, Dahlia!
That’s one thing I’m not looking forward to…raking all those leaves.
I see the similarity to my effort – more grandparents need to get the kids off their electronics and back outside 🙂
Sascha, a lovely story, I still can not avoid dispersing any gathering of leaves. 😊
heh, yup! 🙂
How true and sad. Well done.
Thanks!
Sad but true. You have written it so well. I took my horse out to the forest today and there are leaves collecting on the trails now. More to come soon. He scuffs them with his hooves and they rustle about. There are no leaf blowers in the woods!
Thank goodness for that! It must be amazing to ride your horse through the woods and hear and smell all the things.
Yes it is. And one of the best things about the woods is the silence. There is some birdsong that breaks it but it is a very peaceful silence.
Yeah I agree. The leave were great to jump in to!
Never too late! 🙂
You make me long for a childhood I never had. 🙂 (Your creative diversity constantly amazes me.)
You didn’t have leaves?! 🙁 It’s never too late to jump in a leaf pile, Maggie! Just make sure you’ve raked it and there haven’t been any dogs around. 🙂
Ha! We don’t have leaves here either; lots of pine and juniper.
ahhhhh, to jump into pine and juniper…..ouch!
I used to love jumping into leaf piles. Nowadays I have trouble jumping into bed lol.
Good story Sascha
Thank you! 🙂