D as in DETRITUS (A-Z Challenge)

Detritus. A nice way of saying debris, waste, garbage. But there it is.

I Would as Leaf See Something Else

We have a lot of trees in River City. Big stately elms, providing wonderful shade in the summer. So far we've been able to keep the threat of Dutch Elm Disease under control.

When autumn comes, the leaves turn from green to brown, and fall all over peoples' lawns. And the get raked up and put in peoples' composters, or tossed in the garbage (boo, hiss). 

But lots of leaves fall on the city's roads and boulevards, and are raked up by nobody. So lots of them end up on the streets under the snow, and in spring become detritus. And cause problems.

Sometimes, despite the leaf detritus, a drain gets open, to let the water get away in the spring. And sometimes not.

Not crossing at this corner!

Dealing with Snirt

Our city is a "winter city," meaning we have winter at least four months a year, and sometimes six. Temperatures are often -20°C (that's -4F), which is a fresh, brisk, and bracing day. But sometimes -40C (or -40F, so it's the same), and things do feel  bit chilly. Time to put an extra sweater on your body, and an extra dog on the bed at night.

Since we're a winter city, and people need to get around amidst the snow, much salt and gravel are applied to the roads. As spring approaches, city crews start the cleanup process, there are huge piles of snirt (snow + dirt).

But with temperatures scheduled to stay below freezing the rest of the week, this snirt isn't going to disappear any time soon. And sone people may get into a snit.

Thus we shall suffer through our detritus for a while longer.

Sigh!

D is also for desire, dull, destitute, diluted, and Dene (and Dakota, too).

Blessings and Bear hugs, folks.