I know we've had a lot of rain, recently, and it has caused all kinds of weeds to spring up and plants to grow, but when I looked out my window this morning and saw this little sapling growing in my parkway, I knew the rain couldn't have caused it to grow overnight!
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| A Sapling Grows in the Parkway |
I knew my gardener didn't plant it there - he would never plant anything without informing me, first - but I called him to ask, anyway. He assured me he hadn't planted it and wouldn't plant anything without my knowledge. So I guessed it was my neighbor to my left. I went out and inquired about it from my neighbor, this afternoon. I don't speak Spanish and she doesn't speak English, so it is difficult to have a conversation beyond wishing each other a good day and saying, "How are you" and "I am fine". But I pointed to the tree and said her husband's name in a questioning tone and she nodded her head and repeated his name and asked, "Is OK?" Well, yes, I suppose it is OK, although it would have been better if he had asked me first (he speaks a little more English than she). My gardener asked if he was to remove it, but I said to let it be. After all, if my neighbor is willing to landscape my parkway for me, who am I to object? I've seen similar trees growing in the neighborhood, but I don't know what type of tree it is. My gardener might know; I shall ask him.
It didn't rain, today, but it was mostly cloudy. I had a quiet morning. A couple of my friends called and I chatted with them. One friend called to say she had a stash of plastic grocery bags if I wanted them - she knew I use them as trash bags. The grocery stores in my city stopped giving out one-time use plastic grocery bags about two years ago but the grocery stores in her city gave them out until last year, when the entire state put a stop to one time use plastic grocery bags. Except I reuse them as trash bags. So I went over to her house in the early afternoon to collect them from her. I took a bunch of curry leaves and some lemons from my trees and a pair of pants with the tags still on them, that are too big for me. In addition to the stash of plastic bags, she also gave me a container of meat curry, boiled manioc (also known as cassava or yuca; not to be confused with yucca), and coconut sambol.
On the way back from her house, I debated whether to go to the shops to buy myself a pair of pants. But it was about 3:00 in the afternoon and I hadn't had lunch yet, just a cup of tea and a banana for breakfast. Even though I had a packet of crackers with me, and a bottle of water, I thought it would be more prudent to come home and have lunch. After lunch, I didn't feel like going shopping, so I just stayed home and tidied the living room a little bit.
Later in the evening, one of my aunts called and I had a pleasant chat with her.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Friends and family who call
- My friend giving me some of her stash of grocery bags and cooked food
- My neighbor planting a tree in my parkway for me
- A safe drive to my friend's house and back
- Being able to return her kindness with some produce from my garden
Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the neurologist in the morning. If I feel up to it in the afternoon, I will do a little clothes shopping.
How was your Sunday? What would you do if you looked out your window one morning and saw that your neighbor had planted a sapling in your parkway? Would you accept it or would you object to it?
Oooh, do tell us if you find out what kind of tree it is because I think it looks like two trees that I have growing in my backyard and I haven't been able to figure out what they are!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a parkway since we don't have sidewalks in our neighborhood so I don't have to worry about it. But I'm VERY territorial so I'd probably be mad, lol.
Years ago our nice neighbor, Jeff, decided to mow our backyard for us without asking. It was a nice gesture, of course, I think back then Greg's mower was broken. We don't have fences between our properties and he mows lawns for a living so he has one of those professional zero-turn ride-on lawnmowers. Well, he mowed right over some small trees saplings that I had just planted and hadn't labeled! He's such a nice guy, I never mentioned it to him, but I was FUMING at home, lol. I just would never presume to do anything to anyone else's property so it really rubs me the wrong way when someone does something to mine without my permission.
It sounds like you had a nice day, otherwise. I hope you have a good meeting with your neurologist and that all the tests come back good!
Sorry your neighbor mowed over your saplings when he was trying to be nice!
DeleteI would have preferred if my neighbor had asked me, first. It was a bit presumptive of him. On the other hand, I guess he felt he was doing me a favor.
I first got to know my present gardener because his aunt was one of my neighbors, a couple of doors down, and she noticed my front garden was a bit overgrown and took it upon herself to have her nephew mow it for me; she couldn't ask my permission to have him do it because I was in hospital having my daughter! After I came home and she told me, my mother decided to engage the nephew to do our garden for us. :)
I've never had someone plant something for me without asking. However, I did have a neighbor once ask me if he could plant some extra tomato plants for us. We said sure.
ReplyDeleteOh, that was nice of your neighbor to share some extra tomato plants with you! Were you able to harvest any tomatoes?
DeleteAt least something's growing in the garden even if it isn't wanted. There is nothing growing in our garden and won't be for a while. Sigh. I admit I am not a good gardener. I need things that take little attention - I tend to kill any plants that need work.
ReplyDeleteSharon, yes, I am grateful for anything that's willing to grow, at this point, what with the drought and all. I'm just a bit nervous about planting trees in the parkway because we are supposed to get permits to do so, it being City property/public space, etc.
DeleteI'm not a very good gardener, myself. I have managed to kill things like mint and cacti, which are supposed to be indestructible! :D
I think that was so sweet of your neighbor to plant that little tree. I would think of it as a gift. It sounds like they wanted to do something nice for you, something that you could enjoy for years to come. That is the way that I view it. :)
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I think that was his intention. The only thing that worries me is the issue with planting a tree on City property without a permit. I don't want to be held liable for it, further down the road.
DeleteWhat a nice gesture for your neighbor to plant the sapling. With all the negative in the news today, it's refreshing and reassuring to know that kindness like that still exists. If I were in your situation I would leave it as is. And if the location isn't ideal, I would move it later. Could it be an oak or pecan tree? So sweet!
ReplyDeleteI still would have liked him to have at least told me, Carolyn, but I'll take it as a friendly gesture. Technically, the parkway belongs to the City and they are responsible for planting trees there and trimming them, etc. I am not sure, but I believe the homeowner needs to obtain a permit to plant any trees there and they need to be from a city approved list of trees and planted in a manner that won't damage the sidewalk, etc. I am a little worried that I might be found liable if anything happens, which is why I never planted any trees in the parkway after the City cut down a big tree that was growing there (its roots were damaging the sidewalk). Anyway, I'll leave it where it is and see if it grows. I think it is an ornamental tree.
DeleteProud you had a good day..
ReplyDeleteI have never had anyone plant anything in our yard? But, I probably would do, just as you, and leave it.. I assume he called himself being a friendly neighbor and helping you out. smile
Have a great day.
Thank you, Judy. Yes, I think he meant well. But as I said in my reply to Carolyn's comment, I am a bit worried about the legalities of planting trees in the parkway, which belongs to the City. The homeowners are supposed to maintain it, but, from what I understand, we need a permit to plant trees. I just don't want to be held liable for planting a tree without a permit!
DeleteEeeeeh.. I didn't thing about that.. Maybe ,before it gets too big , you could call the City and see what they say? Then if you need to pull it up, you could tell the neighbor, how sweet it was of him, but the city won't allow a tree.. That way, he would not get his feelings hurt?? Or maybe your gardner will know the rules and can help you.
DeleteYes, Judy, that's what I am planning to do - call the Street Tree Services section and tell them what has happened and ask what is best to do. :)
DeleteI think I, too, would have been a bit wrong-footed if this had happened to me. I hate people taking liberties, even though I can see that this was meant as a kindness.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened in the end? Is the tree still there, and did it thrive?
The little tree dried up and died over the summer (secretly, I was very glad!)
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