why raking leaves is good for the academic soul

Raking big piles of leaves with the dog running around the yard as I rake, throwing leaves at her and watching her chase them, pulling bags of leaves out to the curb and emptying them. There's a whole lot satisfying about this. Tangible proof that I did some work today, even if only for a half hour. Plus, the smell is wonderful. It reminded me of some of the good times I had as a kid in our big yard with all those piles of leaves.

Then Julia told me today that Tucker peed in my leaf pile last night.