Today I'm thankful for . . . leaves to rake

I've always enjoyed raking leaves. I come by it naturally, I suppose, because my mother liked doing it, too. It's work, but not hard work. It's good exercise with a positive end result (in addition to upping the old heart rate), unlike running on a treadmill. I love the smell of dried autumn leaves and the way the yard looks newly-raked.

Alas, I don't have much opportunity to rake leaves now that I'm no longer a home/yard-owner. I suppose I could offer my services to the Central Park Conservancy, do a little park-raking once in a while. But that's not quite the same as raking a yard for a home that you love.

Today was a sunny and cool, but not cold, day in Atlanta. It was an ideal day for lots of things - trying out the new breadmaker (yes, Bro, we caught on so quickly that we've made two loaves already), cooking a pot of outstandingly good chili, and - yes - raking leaves. While the bread was baking and the chili simmering, Daughter, Son-in-Law, and I gathered up rakes, brooms, and tall leaf bags and headed outside to the small front yard.

Why people use leaf-blowers, I'll never understand. They're loud and inefficient creatures that disturb peaceful Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons. Ah, but raking, well, there's pure joy in that. Quiet. Effective. Great exercise. And such a sense of accomplishment once it's done!

So for the opportunity to be outside on a beautiful fall day, smelling the purely autumnal aroma of fallen leaves, enjoying the company of my family, and working off a few calories - yes, I am thankful.