January 2011 – Page 4

Hedge Choppers Anonymous

On Sunday morning my neighbour decided to trim back the hedge that separates our properties. That in and of its self is not a problem. However, nary a word did she say to either me or my wife before coming on to our property and starting this hatchet job. The hedge doesn’t belong to us, is not on our property but we have grown used to its presence. I did go out and talked with her about her plans. I asked her not to take it down any lower and agreed that I would cut down the thicker trunks that she couldn’t handle.

I also warned her that she shouldn’t cut back the sides of the hedge too much as it won’t grow back. Our side has only just about recovered after a severe trim by a “professional”. We still have a brown section after 2-3 years of regrowth. To be honest this photo is after I have taken down some of the thicker trunks that she couldn’t handle. So it’s looking a lot tidier than she left it and I’ve yet to attack the last few trunks.

She has totally trashed a perfectly good hedge. It is higher on our side than on hers and she has trimmed back the face of the hedge, on her side, way too much. She had started on our side when I advised her not to remove any more due to the reluctance of conifers to grow back.

My view is that she has basically killed the hedge and that it will probably never recover. On that basis I believe that it should be taken out completely.

That will be a shame as, for many years, we have enjoyed the privacy provided by that hedge. As she is only a tenant, doesn’t own the property, I am considering contacting the agents to express my dissatisfaction with this situation. I don’t want to fall out with her but this is tantamount to vandalism.

View From The Conservatory

Well today the view is not good as its been raining all day. I probably won’t be nipping outside to have a quiet coffee sat at the table.

Haven’t seen any squirrels. Mind you the local squirrel population is decreasing thanks to my neighbours cats. They have had two in the last few weeks. The only positive thing I can say about that is that they don’t just kill for sport. The little black devils actually eat what they kill. It’s not as if they are hungry, I know that they are well fed. Seems like they have gotten a taste for fresh meat.

As well as a lack of squirrels I also haven’t seen many birds today. The ever-present Robin is about, protecting his territory, but no sign of the usual tits and finches.

I guess they are all doing the sensible thing and staying home and watching day time television.

As for me well I’m working from home with Lovers Touch, by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, streaming off the internet from Radio Paradise.

Oh well back to work.

Posted this over 2 hours ago. Suddenly the sun has come out. Do you suppose my post was read by the big fella ?

A New Year Reminder (Thank you Lynn)

A true Friend doesn’t care if you’re broke, being a pain,

what you weigh, if your house is a mess, what you drive,

about your past, or if your Family is filled with CRAZY people.

Your conversations pick up where they left off

even if they have been Months apart.

They love you for who you are.

Facebook In The News Again

Facebook in the news again. This time it’s not their fault.

A woman, Simone Back, posts her suicide note on Facebook. Updates her status to ‘Took all my pills be dead soon bye-bye everyone.’ and according to the press not one of her 1,048 “friends” tried to stop her. Apparently some of these so-called friends even posted sickening spiteful messages in response.

Her devastated mum wants to know why no-one helped her.

Well the sad fact is that these people are referred to as friends but they aren’t. What they really are is “contacts”, “acquaintances”, maybe even colleagues. The sad fact is that very few of these contacts should truly be called friends.

This sad story is just an indication of the anti-social trend that is seeping into our society. Our technologically connected world is hailed as the new utopia. A world where everyone knows what everyone is doing before they even do it.

Facebook is referred to as a social network website. I believe that whilst there are many good aspects to Facebook and their ilk they can rapidly become an antisocial network. They have put a friendly face to computers and the internet. Encouraged us to stay at home, socialise from afar. Mobile phones are having the same effect. You only have to people watch a group of teenagers walking down the street. They aren’t talking to each other. But each one of them is likely to be holding a phone with their thumbs going nineteen to the dozen, texting.

Maybe they are texting each other ???

The sad fact is that the nosey parker in us wants to know whats going on but do we really care. Patently, according to this story, we don’t.

RIP Gerry Rafferty

Gerry, he may be gone but he will live on in his music.

Baker Street may be the song that everyone immediately thinks of at the mention of his name but his talent was so much more. Anyone who doubts that should go back and take a look at The Humblebums and Stealers Wheel as well as Gerry’s solo work.