Pine Needle Storm

It appears to be snowing pine needles in my back yard. We had pine trees in Texas but their needles were 6-8 inches long. The needles from the trees in my yard are 3-4 inches long. The Texas pine trees would shed their needles but I have never seen anything like what is happening in my back yard. The wind blows and down come the pine needles – it is like rain or snow there are so many of them.

This past weekend my husband dutifully mowed and bagged the yard – which was mostly pine needles. We were planning to put the clippings in bags and take the bags to the recycle drop off where we would have to empty the bags. Our neighbor offered to let us load up their trailer with the pine needles and grass clippings. We filled their trailer – I guess it is about 6’x8’. Do you know how many bags we would have had to use? Me either. Then they took the trailer and their truck load of pine needles and grass clippings to the recycling drop off. They would not let us help. Thank goodness for generous and kind neighbors.

The yard looked beautiful and green for about 3 hours, and then a pleasant little breeze came by. Down came the pine needles. In some ways it is pretty to watch but knowing the amount of work to come takes a lot of the fun out of watching them fall.

Of course, as I look up into the trees and see the leaves of the other trees beginning to turn I realize the work is just starting. Oh well, I will make a cup of tea, watch the storm of leaves, and think of all the exercise my husband and I will get.
ElaineH.