Rakin’ the Yard – Inspired by Michigan’s Beautiful Autumn
The weather is a bit brisk in the mornings, but absolutely gorgeous the rest of the day. Most of the bugs are gone. The leaves are beginning to turn the brilliant reds and golds that create the fabulous color tours for which Michigan is famous. It’s the best time of year for horseback riding.
The only thing wrong with this time of year is the fact that it is so fleeting. The temperature gets colder. The water troughs freeze. And all those beautiful leaves turn brown and fall to the ground.
I watch other people – particularly those living in neighborhoods – struggle against the inevitable. Every day they rake and bag or burn. For what? The next day there’s another layer of leaves covering their yard. This goes on for weeks.
Some people take an easier approach. They just run over the leaves with a mulching mower – preferably a riding mower. Suffering from a slight case of chronic laziness, I tend to favor this tactic. Besides, it’s “earth friendly.”
Still, I observe the futility of some of my neighbors, as they struggle in vain to keep their lawns looking neat and tidy throughout the season. Folks, they call it “Fall” for a reason! I was so moved by their untiring efforts that I wrote a little ditty in their honor. It’s called Rakin’ the Yard, and it’s sung to the tune of the Rawhide! theme song. Please check out Rakin’ the Yard on Authspot, where it’s been published. Be sure to leave a comment, letting me know you were there.
Hey Joe,
This is a really nice site and I enjoyed a look around. You have a very nice family and it’s good to see the parental influence you very well do have with your children! Plus, the dog is so beautiful!
I got my mare tested for Coggins today and she behaved like a little lady and has stopped trying to put her head down to graze when I walk her over to the grassy side now-I think she may have sensed something about the advice you gave me!
See you on Triond!
Mo
Great writing, Joe. You’ve done well! Writer, poet, IT professional, family man…. What haven’t you done?! And you still LOVE the horses! Pulled out my bridle and saddle today, my daughter was asking about my horse and wanted to look at the tack. Next thing you know, we were cleaning it up. Told her some good old riding stories of Pontiac Lake days… She thinks that I lived the idyllic life, owning a horse, lol.
Good luck to you and your family. Fabulous writing, kid.
Mary