Going Dark to Recover

I have developed a case of shingles.  I started on anti-virals as soon as the rash appeared so I am hoping the recovery will be a bit faster.  I won't be posting for a while until I recover.  Meanwhile I will read your posts and will be back with mine whenever I can manage.

Yes, it's every bit as bad as everyone says.

Just Cut'em Down

The entire town was in an uproar over the method Duke Energies used in trimming the limbs from the pine trees near the college.  (See my post on March 30)  The college administration, the students, the residents of the street involved and people like me who drive by there often voiced their opinions about the appearance of the trees.  Homeowners on the street felt the appearance devalued their property.

So, almost a month after the unsightly trimming, the college asked Duke Energies to come back and cut the trees completely down.  I happened to drive by the day Duke Energies began removing the healthy trees.

The remaining limbs were sheared off and the trees were cut down in long sections.

 Here is the work in progress

 Log piles followed in the wake of the chainsaws

The trees are completely gone now.  It's rather sad to see that a parking lot is more attractive than the sheared trees Duke Energies originally left standing.  The PR person from Duke explained that what they did was perfectly within their authority and guidelines.  And that is probably so, but it did seem extreme to most of us who thought selective trimming might have been more reasonable.  I strongly suspect the college was not aware of the extent to which Duke planned to trim the trees.  I think they would have opted for removal from the beginning had they been aware.

Everyone agrees that a stand of pine trees was not a good idea in the first place.  So while no plans have been published, the college will likely plant trees that will not grow so tall and wide as to be a problem for the power lines.Whatever the college decides, the result is almost certainly going to be more attractive than the pine trees totally sheared on one side.

In our community, all the power lines are underground and all trimming is done by our own maintenance crew.  Trees are trimmed only when they place some danger to pedestrian or automobile traffic.  But the mayor and city council do not believe there are sufficient funds to bury the power lines in town.

We Love Lucy

Our Lucy loves to hang out around the yard, especially with my husband.  When he is working on simple chores, he allows her to stay out there with him.  While she definitely sniffs around, she never strays far and has never left the yard.  More than any dog we've ever had, Lucy loves to watch people do things.  She keenly watches when we open a box or assemble something.

She's on alert for some reason.  Perhaps a smell?  Notice the tail

 She looks up at my husband to follow every move he is making.

I think I could do that if only I had hands with thumbs

 She is very patient as she waits for him to complete the task

Often she is rewarded with a trip down to our creek where the smells are so wonderful

After a busy week, most of us will slow down a bit today.  Because today is one of the holiest days of the year for Christians and for Jews.  For Christians, today is Good Friday marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  And for Jews, Passover begins at sundown, marking the last plague that allowed for their escape from the bonds of slavery in Egypt and the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.

[Interestingly enough, in our small town, the Jews (who do not have a temple here), hold their worship services at the Catholic Church.  The Torah is kept in the priest's office.  Somehow it did not seem appropriate to have it in the sanctuary with the large crucifix overhead.]

Passover and Easter make this is a time of renewal for Jews and Christians.  And for non-believers, the emerging spring also puts a breath of renewal in their hearts.

Today's quote is from novelist and activist Isabel Allende:

"We don't even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward.  In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity people do amazing things.  The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome."

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

WHETHER YOU ARE RELIGIOUS OR SIMPLY LOVE 

CADBURY EGGS, PEEPS, AND JELLY BEANS