I firmly believe that leaves belong on trees. When they end up on the lawn, that means 2 things. One is that winter isn’t far away. The other is that I have to do something with them. So, rather than gather them and toss them over the fence, this year we decided to clean them up.

Like any other kids, mine like to make a big leaf pile. Fortunately they are old enough rake and use the leaf blower, so that means less work for Dad. When they were done, I chopped them up with the mower and bagged them. I see lots of people bagging without chopping, and I guess that’s up to them, but it seems inefficient to me.

After chopping, which takes only a few minutes, they don’t blow around as much. Wind is the enemy. Also, they take less space and fewer bags!

In past years, I’ve spread the leaves around the garden and mulched in my roses for winter. I’ll probably do that with the next batch next weekend.

It’s hard to believe that that big pile fit into two bags! Granted, most were dry silver maple leaves. I don’t know that I would have had the same success with wet Norway maple or oak leaves.

None of these are original. All were received in an email and I thought they would make a nice addition to my Ideas post.

Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone-else to hold them while you chop.

Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.

For high-blood-pressure sufferers, simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.

A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you’ve hit the “Snooze” button.

If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you’ll be afraid to cough.

You need only two tools in life: WD-40, and duct tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn’t move and does, use the duct tape.

If you can’t fix it with a hammer, you’ve obviously got an electrical problem.

My kids don’t like a lot of my ideas. Well, I can tell you I do get a lot of ideas. I can also tell you that not all of them are GOOD ideas. But, Linus Pauling said, “The best way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas.” That’s why brainstorming sessions are so effective.

So…here are some…ideas. You be the judge.

Since we turn off the lights when we leave a room, I figure why not turn off the TV during commercials?

Likewise, when at  a red light, why keep the engine running? Just shut it off and save some gas…and the planet, of course.

Reuse dental floss and coffee filters.

TV and water used to be free. Now we pay for cable and buy water in bottles. Last week a salesman came in to my business to sell me a new concept. He suggested I could save the hassle and cost of the jugs for the water cooler by using their new product that uses no bottles! They hook up a water line and fresh cool water comes out! No bottles! I told him I’ve already got one of those.

Okay, one more idea, but I will not accept credit, except for bringing it to your attention.

http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/article/7840

For those of you who like the idea of having an Exchange Server, but don’t, there is an option.   Google’s calendar will sync in real time with your iPhone, Blackberry or Windows Mobile device. You’ll have to read the specifics for each device. Pretty cool, if you ask me. I’m sticking to the calendar only for now, but it can sync your contacts as well.

If you know anyone looking, we have some space available in our building on Waukegan Rd. in Glenview, IL.

Click here for listing.

Just read a really great blog entry by college friend and fraternity brother Howard Getson. Take a look: Click here.

I was doing some thinking. Do you?

“I think therefore I am.” – René Descartes

“Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too.” – Voltaire

“Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.” – von Goethe

“A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.” – Oscar Wilde

“No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.” Voltaire

“The world we have created is a product of our thinking.” -Albert Einstein

“What luck for rulers, that men do not think.” Adolf Hitler

And one of my favorites: Thinking As A Hobby by William Golding. Download at MS Word here.

This tag line appears at the bottom of a lot of emails I get. Maybe you’ve noticed it too.

A few observations:

• There are many people who prefer to read printed words rather than those on a screen. Or they would rather sit in a comfortable chair to read, so they print many of their longer emails to read later. By the time the get to the tagline….too late! How about make it your first line?
• I thought that recycling saves the planet??? If I don’t print, I don’t have anything to recycle. Hmmmm…. a conundrum. Probably better to print, you know, just to be safe.
• Have you seen Google’s new service?

If you are looking to create or improve web presence for your landscape  or landscape design business, Chris Heiler at LandscapeLeadership.com is offering a FREE 3-week seminar entitled Web Savvy 2009. See the web site for info and an Agenda. You must register ahead of time.

Hey all you Landscape Architects! If you are studying for the L.A.R.E., this guide will come in handy. It’s in “like new” condition, barely paged through. I’ve got it listed on eBay for a bargain price. Good luck. 

Link here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300293187175&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DSelling