random thoughts – Day 2,209 (Saturday) – pickup sticks

My backyard is about 20% grass and 80% messy woods. Amongst years of fallen leaves are several broken trees and limbs and cut trees and large branches that were left where they fell after meeting the blade. Three or four rotting tree stumps edge the yard, along with chunks of the trees they once held. Last summer’s greenery blocked the view into the trees but winter revealed the broken trees and various piles of leaves and branches.

There is a designated area in the neighborhood where yard waste can be left. Last fall I wasn’t ready for yard work, but now I’m reasonably motivated to get it started. The weather was pleasant enough today (in the 50s) that the initial gathering of sticks, twigs, and branches began.

Dead and fallen limbs in the woods.

Gloves were put on. The big barrel and a study cardboard box were fetched from the shed. The edge of the yard was full of dried sticks and dried stems that had been mowed down in the fall and these were gathered, snapped smaller, and set in the box. The larger sticks, branches, and previously cut limbs started a few feet into the woods and the most manageable ones were carried or dragged to the edge of the lawn and set in a pile. The larger ones were put in the barrel. Dead branches were snipped from trees with the loppers and the massively overgrown rhododendron and set on the pile. 

After an hour, the wind had picked up and clouds were looking ambitious so I stopped. I had a pile of sticks in front of the cluster of rotting tree stumps, a cardboard box of sticks in the shed, and barrel full of larger sticks against the shed. There was also the satisfaction of having done something productive in the fresh air.

The start of pickup sticks season.

The helpful neighbor with the snow blower offered to help me transport the yard stuff in his pickup truck down to the yard waste drop off area. This will happen sometime next week, and in the meantime, I will keep dragging tree trash out of the woods. 

The plan for spring is to rake some of the leaves back several feet from the edge of the grass and from around the trees and rocks closest to the house. The objective is to expand the usable area of the yard, which currently feels claustrophobic and is barely wide enough for a couple lounge chairs. It’s fun to have goals.