It’s not like I didn’t see it coming.
But still. I was
shocked.
Fall! Every year, it
shows up, oh, around this time. And we
in the intemperate climes are accustomed to it.
From hearty, pioneering stock, we embrace these temperature swings: it
gives us something to complain about year-round, gives us a sense of pride
regarding a wardrobe that accommodates a 140-degree temperature swing, provides
us with a street-side view of the seasonal migratory patterns of the
roof-less.
Every year we watch summer depart, watch the leaves turn and
talk about transitions, about phases of life.
About raking.
When I left this morning, the deck was clear.
And now this.
What does one do with third-floor leaves? What is my third-floor obligation here? Do I bag them? Do I hope they blow away?
Do I shovel them over
the side and let the first-floor people deal with them?
It’s Tuesday, and this is what I’m dealing with.
And to think: I saw
it coming.
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46 comments:
It is pretty (but slippery remember...no wing dings off the roof please). I'd be hoping for a strong blast of autumn wind.
I'd bag them, but then, I have issues.
Third floor leaves! now that's a dilemma. I say box them up and send them off to me since I don't have any Fall leaves to rake (we have redwoods and palm trees).
If you wait 7,000 years it is likely that no one alive right now wiLL be concerned about those particular leaves. But it is Minnesota, and thats why I went with 7,000 instead of the 5,000 that would be associated with some place like Iowa.
Make a sustaining broth with them.
Wiat for the wind.
Right now, I am torn between mailing them to "lucky" commenters -- ha ha -- and making a sustaining broth with them.
:-)
This is why I come here, people. For the intellectual discourse.
What a lovely balcony.
More info needed. Do you have compostable garbage pick up? Is there wind predicted in the near future? Rain?
If there is wind soon, don't quite get around to bagging the leaves.
Rain?, bag (if you have pick up) NOW
Bag when you can if you have time otherwise. Next is the question, strong expensive bags so you can drop them off the deck, or cheap ones that have to be carried down.
And ditto on the deck loveliness
raking the balcony would be different. :)
They belong to no one until they're on the ground. You just sweep 'em off the deck.
I believe you wrote your own answer and italicized it!
I would be inclined to get a bit of a running start and slide headfirst through them. But then, I'm from a clime where we don't get many falling leaves.
You are more likely to get a staining broth.
I say sweep them off! (When the downstairs neighbors aren't home, of course.)
Over the side--no question!!
Let mother nature take care of them? No, that's wrong...but look, if it's cold out I don't want to be out in it. I'd rather hire someone to rake them. Then again, that's why I have teenagers.
I think you should push them off in the night and blame it on the wind if anyone should ask.
But they won't ask. Who asks ??
I must say you have very smart yet a little sneaky followers:) B
Wait for the wind for a long time. Then sweep. I'd go for the narrow end; less blowback onto floor two. That's all I can advise.
PS--your digs may not be the garrett than I envisioned. A relief.
Wait until midnight, then shovel them over the side.
No doubt you're a better person than me, but I'd sweep them over the side.
It's hardly surprising. You're closer to the source of the leaves.
The bloody horror...
Actually I am a bit jealous,since I have had to apply gold bond powder to the delicates once again for the second time today.
Cheers, Sausage.
I am thinking "tree diapers"...
But that is the old 22-20 hindsight kicking in.
They're easier to sweep up when they're dry, but I do love the sounds they make. Plus, they're more interesting than looking at the same floor pattern all the time... until they get wet. Then, they're treacherous.
Sweep them onto the lower level, then offer to sweep their deck for five dollars. Bag the lot and sell the bags to composters/mulchers in your area.
River nailed it. Though I might ask for ten dollars and be prepared to negotiate. A bit.
In my experience, it's always good to WAIT until ALL the leaves have fallen and then deal with them just once. I've never had the layering dilemma though. That's a good one. Do you know your neighbours? Do they know you? Will you miss out on Christmas Parties and goodies if you mess up????
Rosemary
That IS an interesting question.....one that could keep me up all night. My first inclination is to sweep them off and let whomever is below deal with it - I mean that's where they were MEANT to land had someone not put a deck in the way in the first place......
Third floor leaves! You could send them over here, since the novelty of dealing with "fall" would be completely new to me.
Then again, this could be the perfect opportunity to let the inner child run free to kick them. ABSOLUTELY EVERYWHERE WHILE YOU LISTEN TO THE NOISE! And the rustling! And the sliding! And the ... oh. Sorry. Did that go over to your balcony?
Yeah. Total SEP. :)
Well, technically, you might have seen IT coming (fall), but you didn't see THAT coming (dealing with leaves despite being on the third floor).
I'd bag them, but that's because I have a debilitating need to have people not hate me :)
Whatever you do, don't let them get wet on that painted deck - very treacherous!
I wouldn't make any rash decisions. There are a lot of leaves still hovering above you waiting for a clean deck to leap onto!
It's possible the first-floor people don't know about these trees. Do they go all the way to the ground?
Sweep them up and it's okay if a few blow overboard. :)
What else, make a leaf pie. Perhaps a leaf loaf? Label it "Nuvo Cuisine". Write an award-winning series of "Cooking With Leaves" books. Become world famous. Get your own show on The Food Network. Make a grip of money with your new-found fame. With the proceeds hire a gardener who specializes in third-floor balcony leaves and never have to worry about 'em again.
One sweeping blow and they are down below.
Pearl, get out the old shop vac, put it on 'blow' and give'er, a puff here, a puff there, and those beautiful leaves will be out of there, blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.....
Do NOT look over the balcony after you do it...just in case those below are looking UP. ":)
Just make sure they have all fallen before you make a sweeping statement.
Sx
in fact it s just great to know fall has happened this year too in time....
in this part of the world clime-time table is changing drastically
Give the wind a little help in the night... But me, I'd sweep them up.
Rake. 2 margaritas. Big pile.
and then . . .
David Lee Roth say . . .
"Might as well
JUMP!
Go ahead and jump!"
(into the leaves, anyway. Not off the balcony. I need my Pearlie writings!)
The forecast calls for high winds the next 24 hours. So if you are just patient, the problem will take care of itself and the people on the 1st floor won't be able to blame you for it.
Let them be gone with the wind!
You could always use a blower...I actually saw someone doing that once. I think he thought if he blew the leaves off his 3rd floor balcony the groundskeeper could take care of it. And here all this time I pictured you in a 1 story house!
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