BS: autumn into winter

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 06:38 PM

When I was 16 I worked for the YCC - Youth Conservation Corps - an organization set up that year that my local congressman had a part in. At the end of our season of work (in the US Forest Service area in the Cascade Mountains east of our town) there was an open house when reporters were invited to come see how the program was working. 16 kids working two months in the woods. We had various projects we were each assigned and because I didn't speak up for the others I was left with painting and landscaping outhouses in a couple of campgrounds.

The Seattle Times reporter was walking around the area and stopped to talk to a couple of my friends who said "make her take her hardhat off" of me. When I did about four feet of long blond hair tumbled out. That was enough for a story, I think, but when he asked me what my special project had been that summer the Dwyer punster gene kicked in. "I'm on the privy council." And explained about painting and landscaping. . . because of my pun I was the only member of the group who made it into the article.

I've also been in the position of having to move outhouses in National Parks. You dig a new hole a few feet to the side of the existing structure. Then you move the building and fill in the old hole with the new dirt. Outhouses are nothing to scoff at (and they're a lot of work to put up.)

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: Charmion
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 01:53 PM

What's euphemistic about "outhouse"? It's an accurate label. Not every spade has to be identified as a f****ing shovel.

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 01:37 PM

When it gets to this time of year....this song always comes to mind....https://youtu.be/lQ_IshjXflM?si=I0NcZMhRTsTA2mXR

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: BobL
Date: 11 Nov 24 - 03:59 AM

"Outhouse" being a euphemism?

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: JennieG
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 08:18 PM

Leaf blowers are a scourge in the cities and suburbs. Here, we are rushing headlong into summer grass growing weather - have been for a while now, dammit - which means that those who mow then feel obliged to blow the cuttings around the neighbourhood.

A pox on them! May their chooks turn into emus and kick their dunnies down! *

(Old Ozzie curse translation: 'may your chickens turn into large flightless birds which kick your outhouses down'.

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 03:25 PM

We never used to have a problem with leaves.... Until we planted 2000 more trees!

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 10:58 AM

Good point about that, MJC - too many people here blow leaves or grass into the street and hope it'll just go somewhere else. Usually into drains or into the creek.

If the leaves are mulched in place on the ground, or if they're piled on the driveway and mowed over they reduce in volume by about 90% and then can be put in beds, spread on bare spots, or put in the compost. I end up with a lot of other people's leaves piled along the curb so I use a big plastic dustpan thing to scoop from the street and plop onto the turf, then mow them there. I dislike blowers for many reasons so will never use one here. (And I don't scoop those leaves often enough for them to be light, usually they've already started composting there in the street, so they don't blow easily.)

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 10 Nov 24 - 09:39 AM

The use of leaf blowers used to mystify me, until I realised they're making the leaves Somebody Else's Problem.

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 02:56 PM

... and the leaf blowers are roaring outside,
cleaning up the oak leaves.

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 12:28 PM

Another warm humid day in North Texas, but the trees are dropping leaves steadily now. I need to use this time to build a French drain from the sides of one tree in the back that got too wet this spring and suffered, dropping most of its leaves early - hopefully isn't dead. Spring will answer that question.

It's good weather for working outside or in the attic, as is happening now as new Internet service is being installed, plus I have several projects that were awaiting the end of summer heat.

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 08:11 AM

Keb does fear storms but there are storms that we have not seen in our lifetime. fREEZING everything to 100 below zero instantly is a storm that did happen long time ago. The evidence was found in the remains of Mammoths frozen in mid-chew.

Today a mild winter is expected.

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: gillymor
Date: 09 Nov 24 - 08:10 AM

We've got a cold snap coming through, it's supposed to dip down to 84 tomorrow here in SWFL. I do miss autumn, we basically go from summer to spring and then back again.

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 05:46 PM

All the leaves are down
Yet the golfers play.
I have stayed inside
On this cold Friday....

Subject: RE: BS: autumn into winter
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 05:43 PM

Things have been a bit skewed this year.

I am still mowing the grass as it keeps on growing. We have not had to water the garden at all this year as there have been no long periods without rain. We have had a few longer than normal periods with little wind.

I somehow expect that winter will arrive with a bang!

Robin.

Subject: fall into winter
From: keberoxu
Date: 08 Nov 24 - 05:17 PM

The trees are quite bare at last,
and there is a cold dry wind blowing.
With the change back to Standard Time in the US,
it is pitch dark at 5 pm in my time zone.

The mild part of autumn is definitely history,
even though the storms and snows of winter have yet to arrive.