Take it or leaf it

We've all heard the real estate agents' mantra "location, location, location." It means that the value of homes with similar characteristics can increase or decrease based on where they're located. These days there are a number of other factors affecting the value of real estate, the most prominent of which may be the number of foreclosed and/or vacant houses in a neighborhood.

Alas, in order to keep the "location" slogan from falling out of favor while the housing market continues its downward spiral, I bring you proof that the principle holds true in other parts of life as well.

Exhibit A) This is a pile of plastic leaves that I use to decorate the fireplace mantle each fall. In the photo they are located on the living room floor near the front door:


Exhibit B) This is a pile of real leaves located on the other side of the front door, just a few feet away from the leaves in the first photo.


The leaves in the photos don't look all that different. However, I actually paid for the leaves in the first photo and brought them into my house. Which is in contrast to the leaves in the second photo, which I'm trying to keep away from my house.