“You look like a leaf monster!” I said to my dog, who trotted in the back door.

His wiry fur was completely covered in crispy leaves. Our 40-year-old maple tree had finally dropped its leaves, and our dog rolled in them.

Our dog promptly shook his body, sending leaves flying all over our living room.

We really had to get the leaves raked before the snow began falling.

My husband and I stuffed 42 large garbage cans with leaves from our front yard, hauling seven at a time to the city’s recycling area.

“We need to cut that tree down,” my husband groused.

“And that one, too,” he added as he picked up pods from the ground.

We were both tired. I have great appreciation for trees. They provide shade in the summer to cool us. They look beautiful in the summer and fall. Some provide fruit or

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