Life Goes On

The late great Mr. Max and I lived in an apartment for several years. The best view for Mr. Max from our last apartment was out the living room window that overlooked the area behind the apartment complex. Outside our window was the biggest tree on the grounds and Max spent hours watching the birds and squirrels.

I came home one afternoon and saw that the tree had been removed. For days Max acted very lost and that memory is one of many that has stayed with me over the years. I always wonder if it was a matter of him missing the tree or if he was overwhelmingly startled by what must have been a day of very loud noise from chain saws and whatever else was used to remove such a large tree.

I got home the other night and found a notice hung on my door. The city had been out and determined that the ash tree on the boulevard was in declining health so they have decided to remove it. I have another huge ash tree in my front yard about 15 feet from the other tree, and it's in the exact same condition as far as I can tell. That the trees were nearing the end of their lives hasn't been news to me. The emerald ash borer has been found in several trees in the city and I read that the city has a plan to remove all the ash trees within the next few years.

I do wonder how the boyz will react, especially if I decide it's time to remove the ash tree in the front yard, the tree that is closest to the picture window in our living room. Diego-san and Thompson in particular love to watch the action in the tree. I would likely replace the tree with another type of tree, but it will be years before it grows tall enough for much squirrel and bird action. I just hope the boyz aren't as traumatized as Mr. Max seemed to be...