Summer and Fall and Road Construction Season Is about Over in MN

[MineralMan]

Instead of mowing the lawn, I just went out and mowed and mulched the maple leaves in my yard. I'll have to do that twice more, since my silver maple is about the last tree on our block to drop all of its leaves. The weather gurus are predicting snow for Friday. Not enough to bother with and it will melt soon. However, I filled the big snowblower with gas and started it, just to make sure it doesn't need some attention before it's needed.

I ran the machine for about 15 minutes and checked the cutting blades, impeller blades and self-propulsion in all speeds. It appears to be fine for the upcoming snowstorms, so I can relax on that count. Despite global climate change, Minnesota will still have Winter. In fact, climate change could result in more snow than usual, or less. Who can tell. For the past two years, we've had much less snow and fewer days colder than 10 degrees below zero. I can't count on that, though, so it's time to start preparing for our six cold months.

And then, it will be back to road construction season again. Around here, traffic is bad, either due to icy roads or the perpetual road construction that happens the rest of the year.

And on and on it goes...wherever you are, it looks like time to prepare for the next season. Uff da!

[Raster]

1. I worked for a large company based in St. Paul...

...so I spent a good deal of time in the Twin Cities... two seasons: Winter and Roadwork.

[kstewart33]

2. Here in Denver, we are also seeing the effects of climate change.

Many years ago when in my first fall in Denver, the first snow came in the second week of September. This year, the first snow came in the middle of this month. Winters have changed - much less snow and more moderate temperatures. The season forecast calls for temperatures much warmer than usual and likely little snow at all.

We have a huge maple tree in the backyard. Yesterday, my husband spent a few hours raking all the leaves and grinding them for mulch. This weekend, he'll do it again as the tree's leaves keep falling and there are so, so many.

Have a comforting and peaceful season, MMan. And keep posting. You are a valued member of our community.

[MineralMan]

3. I don't rake leaves. Ever. I have a mulching lawnmower, so

I just mulch them in place. If I do it about three times during the fall, it's no more work than mowing the lawn and the tiny bits of leaves rot over the winter under the snow and fertilize the grass in the spring. At age 72, the less yardwork, the better, I say. I've converted most of my neighbors to that method, as well. They've seen the good results I get, and have bought their own mulching mowers.

Raking Bad! Mulching Good!