There is a (pretty) tree next to our house that sheds different parts of itself throughout the year. There's the flower season, the stick season and leaf season. We're now in the leaf season. Mom complains about that tree and insists on staying out for perhaps an hour and a half each morning picking up another load of tree parts that fell on the road and sidewalk during the night.
I know many people in our town have actually cut down the trees that were planted decades ago on that road verge for that reason. And yet a lot of people will happily park their cars under this tree for the wonderful shade it provides.
By the way, I didn't know it was called a road verge. I thought it was called a parkway, but apparently it goes by different names in different regions. I got this from Wikipedia:
Anyway...
Mom has been doing this for perhaps 20 years, maybe more.
We keep telling her it's not necessary. Nobody does this. She's insisted it looks messy. Many neighbors have also put concrete over the verges so they don't have to take care of any ground cover.
Mom would be aghast.
This morning, Art went out to tell her again that it's not necessary and that she should come in and rest.
"No," said Mom. "I am 90 years old. This is my exercise. I also get Vitamin D."
As I watched from my office I could hear Art laugh. "If I live to be 90," he told her, "I will have to pick up leaves too."
Well, Mom has come in now to have her mid morning snack and I can see more leaves falling gently to the street.
I know many people in our town have actually cut down the trees that were planted decades ago on that road verge for that reason. And yet a lot of people will happily park their cars under this tree for the wonderful shade it provides.
By the way, I didn't know it was called a road verge. I thought it was called a parkway, but apparently it goes by different names in different regions. I got this from Wikipedia:
A road verge is a strip of grass or plants, and sometimes also trees, located between a roadway (carriageway) and a sidewalk (pavement). Verges are known by dozens of other names, often quite regional; see Terminology.
Anyway...
Mom has been doing this for perhaps 20 years, maybe more.
We keep telling her it's not necessary. Nobody does this. She's insisted it looks messy. Many neighbors have also put concrete over the verges so they don't have to take care of any ground cover.
Mom would be aghast.
This morning, Art went out to tell her again that it's not necessary and that she should come in and rest.
"No," said Mom. "I am 90 years old. This is my exercise. I also get Vitamin D."
As I watched from my office I could hear Art laugh. "If I live to be 90," he told her, "I will have to pick up leaves too."
Well, Mom has come in now to have her mid morning snack and I can see more leaves falling gently to the street.
In Honolulu, only grass, gravel or concrete is allowed in the road verge. Our neighbors had these bushes that made it impossible to park your car next to this strip. There is a number to call to report violations. I complained and in a few days the hazard was removed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your mom's secret to a long and healthy life. I am taking notice.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of tree is it?
ReplyDeleteAround here after mowing the lawn companies go around with noisy blowers blowing the leaves and cut grass off the sidewalk and streets. You should be thankful she doesn't want one of those to do the task.
Verge sounds very British to me. We would probably call it a median, at least if it was i the street between two lanes of traffic. I'm not even sure if we have a special name for a strip between the sidewalk and the road.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing cycle for her daily routine. Her blood pressure must not be fluctuating or going too low with all of the bending over then standing upright frequently.
ReplyDeleteYes, we complain about the leaves to be raked in the fall, but love the shade of the tree in the summer's heat. I used to rake up 16 bags of leaves from two trees on either side of my own yard. But their free shade onto my roof helped keep my house cool in the summer.
I like neat areas too. If I run an errand to my son's house while their cars are out of the garage, I still sweep the dirt and bits of grass out of the garage and off the driveway. That's how he confirms I've been there. Linda in Kansas
Good for your mom!
ReplyDeleteSome people see those things, but I'm afraid I don't. I was doing my exercises yesterday on the front porch and thought about sweeping as I saw all the detritus while I was lying prone, but when I stood up, it looked just fine. Whatever Mom is doing, she is certainly one healthy person! :-)
ReplyDeletegood advice=keep active. I just returned from my early morning walk at 6 am when it's only 69 degrees-later it's too hot to walk like 105 now. It feels so good to walk even though i do it slowly now as I approach my 80th birthday next sunday-had wanted to plan a big party but then the corona virus happened. Maybe for my 90th? Lol...
ReplyDeleteLet her pick the leaves. It is excellent exercise and good VitaminD as she says.
ReplyDeleteIn our area we call that strip a tree yard.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think that at 90 years old your mom has earned the right to do whatever she wants!
Well, now I know how to live to be 90 ... and still going strong. Goin' to pick up some leaves.
ReplyDeleteGood for your mom. She has a purpose. She has work to do. She has the health with which to live her purpose and do her work. Praise God for such a good life. May we all have that.
ReplyDeleteAw, that’s sweet. In the upper Upper Midwest they call that strip between the sidewalk and street the boulevard. Who knew there were so many names for it!
ReplyDeleteWe have a Verge too. Ours doesn't get enough water so the grass is spotty. Ah well. your mom is a winner.
ReplyDeleteIf it ain't broke, don't fix it. She's made it to ninety! I am fairly certain I won't. LOL
ReplyDeleteI love you and Art. But your mom I revere! Thank you so much for sharing her with all of us, dear Kay <3
ReplyDeleteYour Mom never fails to impress. The neat thing is that that tree is not only her fitness trainer but it is consistent. I think they have a connection.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Akron, Ohio, where it is called the Devil's Strip. Imagine my surprise to find that very fact in Wickipedia.
ReplyDeleteMom knows that the key to good health and life is to stay active.
ReplyDeleteI would have to put on my knee pads and work on my knees. It's impressive that your Mom's back is still healthy. There are all kind of ways more efficient ways to take care of those leaves, but I suspect that is not the point :-)
ReplyDeleteI have not heard the term verge used here.
Last year I became a "Citizen Forester" and we would go out and measure city trees and then it would be plotted on a map with height, girth, spread, condition, type, etc. We need more trees and it was good for me because I don't want to see more concrete and developments in our city. The goal is to plant more trees - with the blessing and cooperation of the property owners. We just called their location "sidewalks" even if there wasn't a sidewalk, like in Kaimuki where we just have paved streets and no curbing. I don't think the group has done your side of town yet. The tree plotting website that anyone can view to see trees is https://pg-cloud.com/hawaii/
ReplyDeletePlease thank your mom for me. We need more trees and people taking care of them (and their rubbish).
We call it the tree lawn. Your mom is an inspiration!
ReplyDelete