In Jay the East Branch of the Ausable runs cold and loud past the covered bridge, and the growing season arrives late and leaves in a hurry. That makes every green week count. J & C Landscaping and maintenance, inc. mows and trims the river-flat yards and the sloped dooryards above them, edges the walks, mulches the beds, and clears the litter that high water and mountain wind leave behind each spring. By September the light turns gold over the Jay Range and the last cut of the year goes down tight ahead of the frost. A trim lawn under those mountains looks like a small act of hope.