Battle of the Maple Seeds

Laughter does not have to come from a major source. It could be ... relatively minor.

May 20, 2025

A sudden gust of wind unleashed a squadron of helicopters—oh wait, just some maple seeds—whirling through the backyard like they were auditioning for a stunt show. But no need to panic! Mother Nature isn’t staging a springtime invasion; there’s no pilot up there, no bombers ready to unleash chaos, and no secret plan for world domination. She’s sending out the maple tree’s tiny seeds, gearing up to scatter and take over the neighborhood one little sprout at a time.

While her intentions were noble—renewal, rebirth, the circle of life, blah blah blah—her springtime effort quickly turned into a frustrating fiasco. We battled to clear those pesky seeds from our gutters, flower beds, and yards. I started with a broom and a rake, and after fifteen heroic swipes, they were still defiantly clinging to the ground. It was like trying to sweep glitter in a wind tunnel. They laughed in the face of gravity. Eventually, I had to unleash the big guns—my vacuum cleaner. It may not have been elegant, but I evicted those little pod-squatters from my outdoor space in record time.

Amid this epic struggle, I neglected to pay attention to my dogs. If I had, I might’ve realized I didn’t need tools—I needed snacks. My dogs were munching away on those edible seeds like they’d discovered nature’s hidden treasure. Who knew the solution was four paws and a good appetite?

Maple “helicopter” seeds can be eaten raw, tossed in salads, or cooked. They can also be boiled, roasted, or even ground into flour. They’re a culinary secret just waiting to blow into your yard.

So, in the end, while I waged war on wind-borne debris, my dogs were casually hosting a backyard buffet. Next spring, I’ll ditch the cleanup gear and open a gourmet seed food truck for canines. We’ll call it Paw de Maple. No reservations—just tails and appetites welcome.

www.wintersetmadisonian.com

Relatively Minor

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