So we seem to have landed on a street where the retired men spend their days tending turf. Mowing, blowing, watering endlessly - every blade green and perfect. And now it is fall and leaves are everywhere yet they are out there daily blowing them off their lawns. One even squirts a hose into the tree canopy to coax off the last of the leaves. Having left a land of intermittent drought and being a fan of native plants, this is all driving me a bit nuts. Today one of them mentioned that if some of us would take care of our lawns, he wouldn't have to worry about leaves so much which I guess is directed at us. It makes no sense to me to rake up leaves until they are done falling. Even then, bare ground loves leaves that help nourish the soil. I don't want to irritate the neighbors, but I guess I''ll go out tomorrow and rake some leaves and throw them in the backyard where they can't be seen. Grr...