I found this graffiti on my walk home last night. It's similar to another bin I found a few years ago, also bearing a Twitter-related message. We could use some fact-checking in our modern culture, that's for sure, rather than following a political leader who believes if he says anything enough times it becomes true.
My own personal dictator, Mother Russia, has won the front garden battle. The gardeners returned yesterday and did a much harder prune on everything:
It's clear she was standing out there giving them directions while I was at work -- as I expected -- because several areas that she specifically targeted have been hit hard. That poor Cotoneaster to the left of the front door, for example. Mrs. Russia wants enough space adjacent to the wall to put up a ladder so the front of the house can be painted, and she made sure to get it. The house does need painting so I can live with that.
For the most part I think it's OK. The first go-around was too gentle, and we wanted to see some definition of the bushes, which will fill in more in coming months. Afterwards she sent me a satisfied e-mail that said "I am happy with the result of the work," and paid me her share of the bill.
At least it's over. We've been talking about front garden pruning for at least a year, and I filed the maintenance request last August! Perhaps now life can move forward.
It doesn't look bad to me at all, but then of course I do not have the day-to-day view that you have, with the direct "before and after" comparison.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, as you say, it's done, and the bill paid.
At least she's happy, and might not bother you again for a few weeks, but I suppose at some point the painters and their ladders/scaffolding are going to show up. Forget I said that and enjoy the peace while you have it. lol
ReplyDeleteI am sure those shrubs will soon fill out again. That's what P always tells me when he has decimated ours anyway.
ReplyDeleteSpring and summer growth should make up for the Russian devastation in your own Donbas region. However, as Jenny suggests, ladders or scaffolding could prompt another dramatic episode in the long running West London drama, "They Must Be Russians".
ReplyDeleteIt will all bounce back defying Mrs Russia soon enough.
ReplyDeleteIt looks good and if it accommodates her needs so much the better.
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