The Fall
- Ray DeGraw
- Sep 23
- 2 min read
September 23, 2025
Day two of Autumn. It's getting colder, the AC units are coming out of the windows. The excitement of this year's tomato plants has faded as the survivors are praying to be harvested. As a landscaper, I am tired. The season is coming to an end, but fall cleanups are right around the corner. Quite frankly, my energy level isn't there. But the idea of sitting around for two months to recoup after the last leaf is picked up keeps me moving forward. Two months to fiddle around the house, do some writing, maybe exercise and get that gut to a respectable level for next year's bikini season. (Maybe fit back into those 32 inch waist jeans I've been holding onto foolishly for the last ten years!)
Some people love the fall, I'm getting there. To me it's like one long Sunday before the inevitable drudgery of winter. Actually, it's more like the last two inches of a chewed up pencil. You've got some work to do and not much time to do it. There is no way this thing is going to take another spin through the pencil sharpener. Not happening. The eraser is down to the nub, the paint is coming loose around your bite marks and your hand is cramping because you can't hold the damned thing just right. You know the tip just broke, but the graphite is somehow holding onto dear life as you put the period on your final sentence. Phew, you did it! Now throw that nub out and wait for Santa to bring you a nice new sleeve of number 2's to do it all again next spring.
Just do your best not to burn through them too quickly next year. And for the love of God, stop chewing up the ends already! Santa only gives you so many to work with...and it seems like fewer every year. Where the hell was I going with this? Oh yeah, it's fall. Enjoy the foliage you leafers! Because I'm going to be the one out there cleaning them. Lazy fucks. Thank the maker for making everything taste like pumpkin spice and apples for the next two months. Hot cider and Apple Jack Whiskey? You bet your sweet ass! And don't forget the doughnuts!
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