THE GARDEN NEXT DOOR

Investors are tearing down the small bungalows and building giant mansions in my neighborhood. Along with the houses, many gardens are also being destroyed. This is the case with the house next door. Since we were good gardening friends, I decided to show you some of her beautiful garden statuary that she gave me. My friend died of cancer many years ago. But her memory and the memory of her garden lives on.

This is my friend's chair. This is where she would sit to view her garden. We had great discussions about what to grow and what not grow here in Houston.

Here's a photo of one of the giant trees in her yard. Unfortunately, the new builders in the neighborhood do not value the shade canopy and this magnificent tree was cut down this week. 

My friend loved resale shops. Here are two of her treasures she passed on to me. 

Before the house was demolished, I managed to save this poor philodendron. It had been suffering for many years in this pot. It will get a good home in my garden.

Both of us love cats and these two statues were her favorites. I'm happy that she passed them on to me.

I've had seven years to prepare emotionally for this week. When I view this picture of her yard I remember the beautiful garden she once had. It's funny but I never took a photo of it since I took care of it along with mine. (She was physically disabled so I did most of the work and watering)

A beautiful 80 foot pecan tree was here just a week ago. Now it is gone.

A rusty pottery stand from her garden. A gift from many years ago.

These days, her statue of St. Francis of Assisi stands watch over my garden. He is the patron saint of animals. Already many of the smaller creatures from her garden have traveled the short distance to live in mine.

I saw at least 3 or 4 green anoles come through the cracks in my fence today. They are welcome here.

(This is my favorite gift from her. It is called Woman with Fawn...designed by La Pointe of Austin Productions in 1981 and it's from England.....It embodies her love for gardening, wildlife, and nature. I've read that these pieces are no longer made and have become quite expensive. Still, I would never sell it.)

***

In end, there are many lessons to be learned. 

You may ask if I am angry. I am not angry, but

I am still in shock. I'm in shock that the investors would cut all of her mature, native trees down even though they were not in the way for the new house.

By law, our city requires that developers leave one tree per lot. Of course, some far-sighted individuals leave many more. I guess I got stuck with a land developer next door that has no vision and no love for nature.

 I usually avoid people like this since I have no respect for their destruction of living things.

 But just like the trees, 

I too cannot get up and simply walk away.

The irony in all this is that our neighborhood is called Oak Forest. Perhaps it should be called "Oak Once A Forest".

Here they are cutting down a 60 year old native pecan tree. They left only the smallest tree as the required one tree and cut down the larger ones like this beautiful specimen. 

***

I will end on a positive note.

 My garden is now receiving early morning light for the first time in 30 years.

 By next Spring my front yard will have a much larger cottage garden. 

Still I feel sad for the reasons behind the extra sunshine.

What's the word for half good half bad? My mind draws a blank.

I hope I never see this scene again in front of my garden.

David/:0(

Gone are the giant trees! Looks like my little holly has big shoes to fill.