October along Sand Creek is all cottonwood — yellow leaves coming down in sheets, the first hard frost overnight, the grass slowing at last. HTLawncare works that turn of the year in Cimarron Hills, moving from summer mowing into fall cleanups and clearing leaves and debris off lawns, beds and walks. Autumn light here is thin and gold and short, so the days pack tight and the truck runs full. A yard put to bed properly comes back easier in April; that is the quiet arithmetic behind the raking. When the last load is on and the walk is swept, the property looks ready for whatever the winter has planned.