Leaves on the ground

I am somewhat of a curmudgeon, or at least that’s what I have been told.  Maybe that’s true, maybe not.  You never can tell from day to day what topic I may be cold hearted about, and which topic I am gonna be an old “softie” on, can you ?   Falling leaves bring out both in me, I suppose. 
There is something magical about crisp fall air and bright colored leaves in what seems like never-ending quantities.  When I was a kid, much as it is today, one of the best pastimes this time of year for a kid was to rake the leaves in a huge pile and then proceed to jump around in the pile, then use it as a giant tumbling mat and trampoline all rolled into one.  It was then, and still is now, free, close to home, and a lot of fun.  The presence of several neighborhood youngsters would also allow for throwing each other around and/or throwing the leaves at each other.   The cool air makes for much more vigorous activity, which is a plus.  Still today, even the sound of kids whooping and hollering, and all those leaves rustling, can bring a smile to my face.  Problem is, the smile only lasts a minute.  Nothing like remembering we have several dogs to dampen the old spirit.  I wonder what is mixed in with those leaves?  Once the proverbial bubble of happiness in me has burst,  the old curmudgeon in me really comes racing to the forefront.  Those kids are gonna get hurt.  They are gonna start screaming soon.  Someone is going to lose something in that doggone pile.  Hey, you kids….stop that……
Then, the voice of reason takes over (“The voice of reason” is yet another title my wife has earned over the years).  I hear the voice of reason tell me to leave those kids alone, don’t spoil their fun, they are not hurting me, as a matter of fact, they are not hurting anything.  She is right, of course.  Besides, it kind of looks like fun.  Maybe I should join in.   Naw, with my luck, I would find what the dog left behind, the hard way. Besides, I am having fun just watching.   I’ll just let them play, and pretend I am not interested in watching.  I have to maintain my “curmudgeon” image after all, right?