A few nights ago the national weather service issued a freeze warning for the area. Temperatures dropped and a little sleet and snow was seen falling. It’s early but not unheard of for snow to fall before All Hallows’ Eve here.

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Now come the wet leaves on the ground after the cold snap, the wind, and a little rain and snow mix. Picking them up is the annual battle that will be joined from now until Christmas. It’s the price paid for living with a lot of old trees. We talk every year about removing a few of them to reduce the fallen leaves, but I can’t bring myself to kill the trees, most of them older than me.

We do this same dance every year and find some way to be okay about it.

The antenna farm requires tending year-round. Sure, I’m ready as I can be right now, but aluminum will bend, wires break, and cables fail during the long, cold season to come. After all, if it doesn’t fall down or break it wasn’t big enough. Repairs will need to be made in the snow and ice with the wind howling around my head while standing on a ladder during a storm.

We do this same dance every year and find some way to be okay about it.