Head out: Winter preparation beckons, but we can still squeeze in a little play

[ With Melissa DeVaughn ]

Published: October 8th, 2008 09:48 PM
Last Modified: October 8th, 2008 03:40 AM

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When the snow started falling Sunday afternoon, I looked around the yard in despair, realizing all the things I have yet to do: Those old broccoli plants gone to seed and needing to be pulled? There they were, getting covered in the first snow of the season. The collapsible greenhouse, clearly meant to be a seasonal structure? The snow settled like heavy cream on the sagging, wet roof. And the tulip bulbs I swore I would get into the ground before the snow came? Still sitting on the kitchen counter in their mesh bag.

All of a sudden, I was regretting the time spent doing those other last-minute, end-of-season things like enjoying sunny fall days running, hiking or biking when I should have been battening down the hatches for winter.

Or was I?

It's a trade-off this time of year. When faced with a nice day, what is one to do? In the middle of last week, the leaves in the yard blew about, dry and ripe for the raking. But the bright sunshine and blue sky lured me onto the bike, sure that I could get in a ride that would not leave me wet, cold and shivering.

It was worth it.

A few days later, on the way to meet a friend for our usual run, I knew I should be using the time to clear the deck and prepare it for the season.

But as we kicked through yellow birch leaves three inches thick and carpeting the trails, I knew I was doing the right thing.

And now fall is essentially over. A weak sun shines through the windows, but the ground remains crisp and white. The temperature is barely above freezing, and it likely won't get any warmer.

I chastise myself now, as I do each year, knowing that these end-of-season chores are now going to be so much more difficult -- all because I didn't set aside the time to do them when I should have. When am I ever going to grow up and be a responsible adult, I worry, virtually seeing a little white-winged angel on my shoulder, wagging its finger at me like a house mother.

Then there is the other part of me, the little devil on my shoulder wearing a bike helmet and setting her heart rate monitor, that says, "Who cares? It's just stuff. Let the leaves rot into the yard, the garden reclaim its frozen produce, the lawn furniture freeze like giant Popsicles in the middle of the deck."

So I'm monitoring my time and looking at my long to-do list, scribbled on scrap paper last night. "Pack up greenhouse" is written right at the top, an indication in my "responsible" mind that it is a top priority. But further down is "Run dogs," and I glance outside at the team, sitting on their doghouses, their eyes trained on the house. The four-wheeler is ready and my motivation high.

I think I'll flick that do-good angel off my shoulder and go for a ride.

Play outdoor columnist Melissa DeVaughn can be reached at adn.com/contact/mdevaughn.

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