Monday, March 1, 2021

Tree Relocation Followup Report


Last spring, Dave and I moved a young tree that we'd inadvertently planted in the wrong place. We relocated it from the front of the garden to the back corner. Well, it seems happy there, and this year it's blooming up a storm. I'm glad to see it has survived and is evidently prospering. We identified it at some point -- it's a Prunus, but I forget which kind.

(I can't believe that was just last year -- it seems much longer ago!)


Also flourishing this spring are the daffodils (or are they jonquils?) I rescued from Homebase last year when they were giving away their plants just before our first lockdown. At the time they were sad-looking and past their peak, but I knew if we planted them they'd come up again year after year fresh and new -- and indeed they have.

I had a pretty quiet day yesterday -- finished another Newbery book, "King of the Wind" by Marguerite Henry, which I remember reading and loving as a child. It's a fictional account of a real stallion known as the Godolphin Arabian who sired racehorses in England and the United States back in the 1700s. He's an ancestor of some of our more modern champions, including Man O' War and Seabiscuit. It was a good story. I have a vague memory of being somewhat confused when I read it back in grade school. Not only are some of the names are a bit wacky -- the Earl of Godolphin living in the Gog Magog Hills -- but I'm not sure I realized then what siring racehorses entails! (Henry doesn't go into any detail -- the horses merely retire to a distant part of the paddock for some discreet quiet time.)

I've basically given up on reading any adult books until I plow through the remaining Newbery winners. I really want to get this reading project done, or almost done, by the time school gets out in June.

I took Olga to the cemetery and she seemed much more agile than she did Saturday. I guess the Metacam is kicking back in. A couple stopped to watch her gnaw apart her tennis ball, and the man said, "She has beautiful markings!" I never know what to say to that. Should I say "Thank you"? They're not my markings. I usually say something about how she's such a good dog, and she's a rescue, blah blah blah.

I also had a conversation with our upstairs neighbor about the plumbing. They're annoyed because our management company presented them with half of the bill for clearing the drains last week. They question the expense and want to know why they weren't presented with options and bids from different plumbers. I explained that the situation was an emergency -- we had raw sewage bubbling up in the alley and in our bathtub -- and that there was probably no time to seek multiple bids. They seemed unmoved, but they're upstairs and weren't living with the problem like we were. Anyway, it's not my problem -- they need to work it out with our landlord. Ah, the blessed freedom of being a renter!

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Prunus Alba, which is a cherry tree? Maybe. I'll go for jonquils rather than daffs.
Why would the upstairs tenants be presented with half the bill unless they were responsible for the blockage, in which case they should be presented with the full bill. Wet wipes are a plumbers delight.

Steve Reed said...

It's a shared drain. The plumbing for both our flats empties into it. And unlike us, they're owners.

Ursula said...

Compliments should be graciously accepted, even on behalf of one's dog. I'd probably have said: "Yes, doesn't she just" [have such beautiful markings]. I am pretty free with compliments, unsolicited, often to total strangers (of either gender); however, even I do draw the line at "God, you are so ugly you are beautiful". I just think it without voicing it. Though, maybe, that is the ultimate compliment: To see beauty where others only see a crooked nose. And yes, I do have a thing for noses! Crooked or aquiline. One of the reasons I do like profile shots of a face. That'll sort the stub from the majestic! Naturally, there is a downside to photos taken in profile. It's when some people's chin effortlessly flows into their neck - without definition. What is ok for a cow less desirable in a human.

Good on your tree - you can't keep a good plant down. Which should make weeds very good plants since they show remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.

U

Debby said...

I came here to ask if you were going to be billed as well. I see the reason why they did. How many units are there in your building? How many of them own vs. rent? It seems as if the owners need to get together and come up with a plan for the next time this happens.

Susan said...

There are definitely good points in renting vs owning. What a nightmare that must have been! And how nice it is to see things in bloom. We are still steeped in winter - March is a treacherous month.

Steve Reed said...

There are two units. Our landlords have been billed half and the upstairs neighbors have been billed half, because it's a common drain shared by both households. It seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Now that you understand what "siring" a racehorse entails, I hope that you are not tempted to participate in this activity. By the way, I have some pity for the upstairs tenants. After all, it's not their fault that the property's drainage system is not as robust and effective as might be expected. No doubt they are already paying a hefty monthly rent that feathers the landlord's snug nest.

The Padre said...

Beautiful Markings, She Is Beautiful Through And Through - Hasn't Missed A Meal And Loves Her Pink Blanket - Now, What Does A Girl Gotta Do To Get A Biscuit Around Her

Happy March Brother Reed,
Cheers

Moving with Mitchell said...

It must be so satisfying to see that happy tree. Your confusion about what to say in response to the comment about Olga reminds me of an episode of The Mod Squad. Linc is complimented on his car (I think it was a car and not a VW van). He doesn't respond, which irks the complimenter. Linc says something to the effect of "I didn't create it." But don't be Linc. I'd probably say "they are beautiful markings; aren't they," which is along the same lines as how you respond.

Steve Reed said...

No, they own their flat. Our landlord only owns our downstairs flat.

Steve Reed said...

Oh, I think I see your confusion. The neighbors OWN their flat, whereas we rent from the owners of our flat. If that makes sense.

Ms. Moon said...

"Discreet quiet time" is my new favorite phrase. "Darling, do you think we could schedule in some discrete quiet time later on today?"

Sharon said...

Both of your photos today are gorgeous. Those blooms on the tree look a lot like apple blossoms. I'm glad the transplant was a success.

Val said...

I know nothing about the Godolphins but this might be of interest to you
https://walkiees.co.uk/dog-walks/cambridgeshire/gog-magog-hills once we can get further afield.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't mind splitting our recent $750 plumbing bill with someone. We had a leak during the rainiest part of the month in early February and didn't notice it because the ground, street, and sidewalk were all soaking wet and puddling everywhere. After a few dry days we realized there was a leak.
Glad to hear Olga is back to her energetic self! Yay! Pretty flowers too.

Anonymous said...

Whoops, that was supposed to say $750 water bill. Add the $350 plumbing bill to that. Oy. It was quite a watery expensive month!

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Okay - I get it now.

Red said...

There' always something to keep life interesting. Nothing like a whining tenant.

Edna B said...

Your blossoms are beautiful. That's a super photo of Olga in the cemetery (or park) yesterday. Have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

Catalyst said...

Yes, renting definitely has it's advantages.

Margaret said...

Your answer to the compliment seems perfect! Our daffodils are far away from coming up, although I have very few. I'm on Team Tulip!

Allison said...

We rented a house for about a year before we left the north west. When we walked into the garage and saw a river of water flowing from the hot water tank, it was kind of nice calling the owner and letting him deal with it.

Debby said...

I stopped being confused when I caught the part about renting. I had not yet had a full coffee and it was early. You're right. It does seem perfectly reasonable to me.

Steve Reed said...

"You are so ugly you are beautiful" is the very definition of a back-handed compliment. If it can even be called a compliment. Maybe it's more of a thinly veiled insult?

Steve Reed said...

I'm glad we seem to be turning the corner on winter, but yeah, it's still too early to completely relax. March can be pretty brutal!

Steve Reed said...

She doesn't have to do ANYTHING to get a biscuit. She's so spoiled. :)

Steve Reed said...

But then that seems kind of smug, to agree that my dog is beautiful? "Don't be Linc" -- LOL -- that's a good life philosophy.

Steve Reed said...

It's very...discreet!

Steve Reed said...

Though not necessarily quiet, I suppose.

Steve Reed said...

It is an ornamental fruit tree of some sort, but more like a cherry or plum, I think.

Steve Reed said...

Most excellent! I would love to take Olga to the Gog Magog Hills! I mentioned this to Dave and he rolled his eyes. LOL! (He's not so into countryside walking.)

Steve Reed said...

Yikes!! I would NOT be happy with that situation! And of course it happened when it was rainy and you couldn't immediately tell. Ugh!

Steve Reed said...

It's funny how she came to me. She needs to talk to our landlord and our management company.

Steve Reed said...

Springtime beauty is all around!

Steve Reed said...

Absolutely. I know we're throwing away money but MAN, it does buy peace of mind.

Steve Reed said...

Tulips are great but ours tend to get eaten by slugs.

Steve Reed said...

Absolutely! As long as he deals with it in a prompt manner!

Ursula said...

Anything can be misconstrued.

U