The Politics of Leaves

I arrive at the shop early each work day to open the big doors and turn on the compressors and my computer before business hours. In the fall, I sometimes add leaf blowing to the mix. The fall leaves tumble across Midtown's driveway and blow right into our front bay doors if I don't take care of them early before the morning breezes kick up the leaf dancers. I strap on the back pack blower and try to strategically blow the leaves away from the doors and in to the grass areas or the ditch in the front of the shop. If I start at 8:00, I'm usually O.K., but the other morning, I began blowing at about 8:20, and the breezes had already begun to move across the wide span of concrete.  I was in complete control of the blower, moving it to and fro with expertise and practiced skill, but the leaves would rise up into the air, hold for an infinitesimal second and then blow in whatever direction the breeze took them. 

That called for new strategies, so when it happened, I began to brandish the blower in a way that sent the leaves in a direction they already wanted to go but that also complimented the outcome I desired. I was so masterful then,except for an occasional, wild, out of the blue whip that blew up from either east or west unexpectedly, variable winds. Then, it might appear to anyone driving down Delaware Avenue at that particular moment that I was absolutely inept and had possibly never used a back pack blower before.

I think political leadership is often just like that. In the end, I imagine, what matters most is the heart and intentions of the leaf blower holder, and I guess if that fails to get the situation in hand...shut the doors of the shop and go home!

What did she say?

Peace. Love, Linda