Get Off My Lawn!

It's garbage night. I'm running around the house making sure I have all the recyclables and anything I need to throw out. As it is, the living room is chock full of shopping bags full of old clothing and toys I'm waiting to give away, as well as tubs and boxes of fall decorations I'm in the middle of putting out - so I'm concentrating extra hard so I can clear out as much off the clutter as possible. Then out of the corner of my eye I see a kid (a big kid) run up my lawn. I jump to the door and start yelling as I see a big limb of my ever shrinking (I don't know what it is but it's pretty) tree laying across the side walk and hanging over the street. Then I yell louder "Yo! Yo! Get back here! You broke my tree!" (yes I'm so couth). Of course at this, the kids who are really young men start running. My own girls are hiding just in case it gets out that they live here and it's their mom who is the crazy woman.



I am so aggravated. I can't remove the limb myself, and if I could I'd be afraid I'd damage the tree further. Last spring, I had a dead limb cut off and I was so proud of the red leaves that bloomed after. It looked the best it had in a long time. And now, this. Plus, I can't leave the limb hanging like that for long so I'm in a quandary. Not to mention I'm gonna have to pay someone to remove it.



Freaking brats! This just reinforces the idea that I need to move. I keep shelling out money for the upkeep of the outside of the house (not beautifying mind you, just basic maintenance) every year, and ignoring the inside except when absolutely necessary, like clogged drains and animal traps. There'd be so much less outside work if I were in a townhome. Granted, I love planting flowers, I love the snow on the holly trees, I love the idea of a garden - but if I haven't done that in 15 years I doubt I will anytime soon. And now, with things the way they are, I won't make my move anytime soon.

The next morning I notice that the branch was conveniently bent back onto my lawn instead of over the sidewalk, however still attached to the tree. I appreciate whoever did that, that act bought me some time. Today while I was out, the lawn guys came to cut my lawn. They broke off the branch and moved it to a corner of my driveway. Again, more appreciation. I dragged the branch into the backyard to await the next bulk pickup and now all that's left is to find someone with a saw so I can attempt to shave off what's left of the branch and even it out. So after all my internal complaining, things did work out.

I know the kids were being just that, so I can summon up a modicum of understanding and forgiveness, however glad I am that they ran scared, because hopefully they'll think twice before playing around on someone else's tree. I can even forgive myself for becoming the old lady I despised as a kid.

Keep breathing :)