-
Osceola Who?
May 29, 2012 | 34 comments
-
Touchy-Feely Football
April 4, 2012 | 54 comments
-
Guess What, Grandpa?!!
January 16, 2012 | 48 comments
-
Important to Decide
November 9, 2011 | 18 comments
-
Now For a Dozen
August 3, 2011 | 48 comments
Another Perspective
Autumn Leaves
Smoke-free leaf removal leaves something to be desired.
Time was the Eastern Seaboard of the United States would disappear this time of year.
Palls of gray smoke enveloped the countryside as residents burned the tons of leaves produced by deciduous trees. Some packed them into compost heaps and in fact some still do, but most raked them into heaps in the street or roadway and set them aflame.
This was the habit at least until the EPA came into being in 1970 when communities began to hire leaf collectors who sucked up the piles and then deposited the material into civic areas, making at least a couple of rounds each fall. And it became unlawful to burn leaves in the street. This made work for the collectors, but unemployment for the thousands of youngsters who helped Dad with the raking and piling through the years.
True, the smoke was a trial for those allergic to it, but a treat for those who enjoyed the inhalation of the acrid air. It also meant the end of summer and the advent of snow time.
Aircraft travelers were astounded by the stuff that obscured the scenery below. It was, after all, Fall and there was no surer sign than this.
Sure, Fall comes anyway, I think, as I await the second coming of the leaf suckers.
But there was something symbolic about raking and burning, an acknowledgement that one season was leaving and another was on its way.
About the Author
Reid Collins is a former CBS and CNN news correspondent.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (17) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Reid Collins
More Articles From Another Perspective
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/12/13/autumn-leaves
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Hardcard| 12.13.12 @ 8:06AM
I think mr.collins is smoking a different kind of vegetation. Looks like another keeper for E.Bob.
jothepro| 12.13.12 @ 10:09AM
Did you think a long time before posting such crap Hardcard?
spike59| 12.13.12 @ 2:03PM
im guessing hardhead is a 15 yr old greenie...they're pretty sure that anything that happened before SpongeBob doesn't count
Aristocat| 12.14.12 @ 2:27AM
Nice article....we used to enjoy raking leaves and hiding in the piles....
KyMouse| 12.13.12 @ 9:58AM
Raking leaves to the curb and burning them was an autumn ritual when I was a kid. I loved the smell. Kids who were old enough to help their dads light and control the fire were envied by those of us who were too young, as if the event were an unofficial rite of passage.
We did, however, get to help with the raking. Sometimes my sister and I would clear winding little paths throught the yard; and since we were horse-crazy, we cantered along the paths.
I remember one such occasion when a big, full harvest moon rose over our maple trees -- the air was crisp as we cantered around, and there was that lovely scent of burning leaves.
Stick| 12.13.12 @ 1:42PM
When in the country I stumble upon some farmer burning his field debris. The smell is fantastic and very evocative of childhood. I miss it. The odd thing is today I meet many children with allergies never heard of in my time. Can you ever remember any of your friends being allergic to peanut butter?
spike59| 12.13.12 @ 2:04PM
not a one of them; most of us were allergic to being indoors
Occam's Tool| 12.13.12 @ 8:46PM
Indeed; there is a question in that literature the last time I looked at it as to whether our desire to NOT expose our kids to various foods as infants is creating the allergies---as exposure to them while the immune system is still immature might help prevent those allergies.
I'm thrilled my kids had their infancies in Guatemala and were exposed to EVERYTHING---no food allergies.
spike59| 12.13.12 @ 2:06PM
not to mention jumping into a huge pile of leaves and scattering them all over, to rake up again-it's not really fall without the smell of burning leaves; just like spring needs the smell of a freshly mowed lawn
Hardcard| 12.13.12 @ 10:23AM
Gee I'm sorry it didn't meet your high standard of comment, next time I'll try and do more betterer.
spike59| 12.13.12 @ 2:07PM
how about you just try and be more absenter?
Hardcard| 12.13.12 @ 2:22PM
Oh! Ok! spike does that 59 indicate your IQ or your hat size ?
Butch| 12.13.12 @ 2:41PM
When you smelled those leaves burning back in the day, it was time to play football.
Cats1cowboy| 12.13.12 @ 3:55PM
I love the smell of burning leaves in autumn.
Skippy| 12.13.12 @ 4:10PM
Burrowing oneself into the pile, then rising when passersby...passed by, always elicited a shriek.
A hazy scene from a distant, familiar country; now visible only in memory.
7-08| 12.13.12 @ 7:49PM
We could never burn leaves in our new "school" shoes so the tattered Keds from the summer were put back on. I can remember my closet smelling like those wonderful leaves. That wonderful aroma would last till spring cleaning when the Keds were pitched out for next pair several sizes bigger.
Kitty | 12.14.12 @ 4:04PM
It was a community affair. We'd roast apples and marshmallows and gab with the neighbors. Those were good times. I feel lucky to have lived back then.