Is that a leaf blower I hear in the background?
Working from home today I planned on beginning the morning
catching up on my blog posts. I had
topics, notes and research and was ready to write. Then the leaf blowers started. I switched
gears to some items that require less concentration. When the phone rang I was glad I picked up a
wireless extension so I could move around the house to find the spot where the
noise was least noticeable.
Three hours later the landscaping crews seem to have moved
on to another neighborhood. When I launched
into the brave new world of self employment I was surprised to learn that lawns
need to be cleared professionally practically every day. Some people who work from home told me that
some days they just close the door and turn on the air conditioner.
I have always liked the change of seasons. I dont mind the winter and the cold, snow
shovels are pretty quiet. But its the
first day of spring and even if the thermometer is not cooperating around here
the landscape crews are out.
Leaf blowers have generated controversy throughout the US
for their noise levels, emissions and dust residue. While there are differing opinions about leaf
blower impact on the environment a growing number of counties and local
governments have enacted legislation to limit their use. I live a town with laws defining hours for all
leaf blower use to limit noise within a county that last year set emissions
standards for contractors. I cant tell
if its quieter this year.
I read a column by a writer who recommended heavy duty
headphones. That would make it hard for
me to hear the ringing phone when a client calls. I could install flashing lights for the phone
or invest in a headphone system that works with the phone.
Today I dont have a recommendation or solution or answer. Like the employee who needs to be listened
to, I just needed to talk, or in my case write.