Making the most of fall cleanup
It’s just a few weeks before Thanksgiving, the beginning of what I call “Family Season
.” Thoughts turn to gathering together with relatives and friends around a full and festive meal. It’s a time for preparation, not only inside but outside of your house as well.
This time of year, the outdoors hosts a number of wonderful aromas and experiences. There’s nothing like stepping out on an autumn Saturday morning to be met by the cool, fresh air that has the crispness of a Granny Smith apple. It can be invigorating and motivating. Here’s where you can spend some free time with your family and tackle some of those yard chores you’ve been putting off.
Tackling the garage can be a good family endeavor. If you have children, they can sort through and clean their summer toys and help put them on shelves or on wall hooks to take care of some of the clutter. Children can also help with draining the garden hose. And if you’re thinking about planting those tulip or crocus bulbs, showing older children how to use an adjustable bulb planter can help give a little ownership to the family flower garden. Don’t have a planter? What kid doesn’t like digging in the dirt? Give guidance while your child uses a good old-fashioned hand shovel to set the stage for bulb dropping.
It’s a good time to have plenty of rakes and yard bags on hand - if possible, a rake for each child, even toddlers. Many toy manufacturers make pint-sized yard tools, wheelbarrows and wagons that can allow the little ones to tote leaves and twigs to the bags. Just having them pick up twigs and such is a great idea - since they’re so close to the ground to begin with, it could save you from that backache at the end of the day.
Before bagging the leaves, the kids are going to want to rake them into a “giant” pile - the higher, the better. And like any other self-respecting parent, you lay aside your parental role and turn back the clock to the days when you thought fallen leaves were only meant for romping in. Go ahead and join the kids in jumping and rolling in the pile. Let the aroma of the dried leaves take you back to the days when you didn’t have a care in the world. Listen to the familiar crackling of the leaves and to the delightful cries of joy from your children.
Exhausted, lie on your back and look up into the blue sky, feel the warmth of the sun and know it’s at moments like these that you’ve helped create a warm, loving memory for your children. And in the end you’ll have a clean yard and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve given your kids a priceless gift: your time.
Posted by Sharon Walker
Tags: fall cleanup