I’ve been raking leaves and cleaning up the gardens for the last month, but there is still more to do. Why can’t the trees around us lose all their leaves at the same time instead of seriatim. The wind is no help either; it doesn’t blow consistently from one direction, it swirls.
New Rant Thread
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TobyC
Patriot
Mulching mower.
I do use one, but there are too many leaves not to rake. On our property we have a beach, river birch, paper bark maple and three Japanese maples all of which are very mature and very leafy, and that’s just the front. Added to that, our neighbours on either side of us have many mature maples of various species, oaks and lindens. The wind manages to redistribute the falling laves faster than any of us can pick them up.
Estariol
Forum GOD!
Leaf blower...?
Leaf blower, rake and leaf vacuum mulcher. The time consuming chore is getting the leaves out of the ground-cover in the gardens; that’s where the leaf vacuum earns its keep.
Fortunately. leaf removal is not a problem in my yard as there are no trees in it and the neighbours have mostly coniferous trees. The city has planted some deciduous trees alone the street, but the leaves are few and blow away mostly. We have no garden for leaves to lodge in. Pine, spruce and other coniferous needles can and do cause roof damage over time if allowed to build up. Our neighbour had that happen to the asphalt shingles on his garage roof. So far, I am happy to look out on a plain lawn and forego the leaf clean up.
Bob
Bob
You lucky sod. But, then again raking, etc. is good exercise, or at least that’s how I rationalise it.
Yes, it is good exercise and wish I was lucky enough to be in physical condition to do that, cut the grass, clear the snow and so on. Enjoy doing it while you still can.
Bob
TobyC
Patriot
Wow, and those river birches drop little sticks everywhere, oh well.
They sure do. Our river birch is about 30 years old. It’s a beautiful tree in the summer, but it sure does drop little branches everywhere especially after a heavy rain or strong wind. Although not quite as beautiful as a white birch it is a lot more resilient and long lived. In a corner of our backyard there is a mature Colorado spruce. It is beautifully shaped, but it sure does like to drop pine cones all over the place.
chazt
shave
Caveat: this post is not intended to offend my tea drinking friends in the UK or elsewhere.
About two months ago, due to my raging ulcer, I was sadly forced to give up coffee and make a switch to tea as my caffeine delivery system. Seems the acidity in coffee is the culprit. Now, I’ve been drinking coffee since a very early age. By the time I was six years old I was enjoying a cup at breakfast with my parents every Sunday morning. By the time I was in high school it was daily. I love coffee. It tastes so good to my mouthbrain, and two cups in the morning keeps me going until bedtime. I’m addicted to the stuff.
Tea on the other hand, does not equal coffee in the flavor department, imo. Straight up black tea is about the only variety I can get down. I thought I’d follow Picard’s lead and try some “Earl Grey hot” but blech! I’ve tried a number of varieties and brands and have learned a few things... as with beer, I don’t like fruity or herbal teas or extra flavors in tea (with one exception, cinnamon). Please keep the fruit flavored nonsense at arm’s length. I like oranges and lemons, but ugh, not in a hot beverage. Further, as you would expect there are subtle differences in flavor between two brands of the same variety. Flavor seems to vary from brand to brand much more so than coffee. Honey doesn't work for me in tea, and I’ve tried it enough to become conditioned to it. I find sugar more appealing, but still prefer the tea without sweetener. A sprinkle of ground cinnamon kills some tea flavor, but it doesn’t dissolve and I’m left with gritty bits of it with my last swig. But yet, I like and drink coffee sans sweetener. While I occasionally enjoy black coffee, I like it best with a small splash of milk or half and half; dark, no sugar. Tea with milk? Uhhhh, NO. And what’s the deal with steeping? Clearly there’s an art to it that I haven’t yet mastered. Coffee you pour and drink. Tea you have to let sit and steep ”3 to 5 minutes.” Really? I pour the water and then move on. By the time I’ve come back its cooled. God forbid I come back in ten minutes it’s cold and too tea-ish. Makes my tongue feel all hairy. Like some Cabernets have strong tannins that sit on the tongue, know what I mean?
Just this morning I did a quick google search and found a reduced acidity coffee that purports to be a good choice for people with GI issues. It’s over $14/pound, but I’m interested in trying it, so I can hopefully return to my morning custom and enjoy a steaming hot beverage that satisfies.
Thank you, rant over. Cheers!
About two months ago, due to my raging ulcer, I was sadly forced to give up coffee and make a switch to tea as my caffeine delivery system. Seems the acidity in coffee is the culprit. Now, I’ve been drinking coffee since a very early age. By the time I was six years old I was enjoying a cup at breakfast with my parents every Sunday morning. By the time I was in high school it was daily. I love coffee. It tastes so good to my mouthbrain, and two cups in the morning keeps me going until bedtime. I’m addicted to the stuff.
Tea on the other hand, does not equal coffee in the flavor department, imo. Straight up black tea is about the only variety I can get down. I thought I’d follow Picard’s lead and try some “Earl Grey hot” but blech! I’ve tried a number of varieties and brands and have learned a few things... as with beer, I don’t like fruity or herbal teas or extra flavors in tea (with one exception, cinnamon). Please keep the fruit flavored nonsense at arm’s length. I like oranges and lemons, but ugh, not in a hot beverage. Further, as you would expect there are subtle differences in flavor between two brands of the same variety. Flavor seems to vary from brand to brand much more so than coffee. Honey doesn't work for me in tea, and I’ve tried it enough to become conditioned to it. I find sugar more appealing, but still prefer the tea without sweetener. A sprinkle of ground cinnamon kills some tea flavor, but it doesn’t dissolve and I’m left with gritty bits of it with my last swig. But yet, I like and drink coffee sans sweetener. While I occasionally enjoy black coffee, I like it best with a small splash of milk or half and half; dark, no sugar. Tea with milk? Uhhhh, NO. And what’s the deal with steeping? Clearly there’s an art to it that I haven’t yet mastered. Coffee you pour and drink. Tea you have to let sit and steep ”3 to 5 minutes.” Really? I pour the water and then move on. By the time I’ve come back its cooled. God forbid I come back in ten minutes it’s cold and too tea-ish. Makes my tongue feel all hairy. Like some Cabernets have strong tannins that sit on the tongue, know what I mean?
Just this morning I did a quick google search and found a reduced acidity coffee that purports to be a good choice for people with GI issues. It’s over $14/pound, but I’m interested in trying it, so I can hopefully return to my morning custom and enjoy a steaming hot beverage that satisfies.
Thank you, rant over. Cheers!
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