What a Difference a Couple of Years Make

Newly planted oak tree - Photo taken about 2 years ago

This past winter has been a mild one, fortunately, and our yard didn't suffered the consequences of freeze or frost damage like it did the winter of 2010.  So this Spring  everything plant in our yard has had an abundant flush of growth.

Over two years ago we planted 3 little oak trees, with hopes of someday enjoying their shade.  Of the three, the one photographed above almost died on us.  Poor little pathetic thing had turned brown and looked on the verge of dieing. I assumed it probably needed more water so drug the hose out to it and began soaking it . . . that's when I noticed the water was cascading rapidly down a hole and out of sight.  Seems the crew that planted the oak had left a huge, unfilled hole at the base of its roots.    Using a broomstick handle and the garden hose I tried to compact soil into the void and kept my fingers crossed that what I did would save the tree.

The photos below were taken just a few days ago. It is now much larger and fuller than the two other little oak trees and someday it will provide us with ample shade . . . looking forward to that when the temperatures hit a 100 !!!







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Dealing with the DNA Cards

photo above ... close to 30 years ago, me on the left in the blue; my taller cousin Annamaria on the right ... I don't think I need to mention that she also carries a lot more baggage on her top self than I do.

Looking  myself over, from head to toe, I began to wonder why the Master Creator never gave me a say in my choices or options as to what specific genes I would like to carry.  Why did it have to be such a blind potluck ?   Perhaps those perfect runway models are content with the genetic cards they were dealt but as for me I would have liked to have had some say in the matter.

Master Creator, "Okay now, how would you like to have your mother's varicose veins?"
Me, "I'd rather not, if you don't mind.  But thanks for asking."

Master Creator, "How do you feel about boobs?"
Me, "Well they would be nice.  What are my choices?"
Master Creator, "Well let's see now: you could either have small, teeny, tiny boobs like your grandmother Della, on your father's side; or you can have the more voluptuous breasts that your Italian mother and her side of the family possess."
Me,"Hmm, ample boobs or hardly-there boobs?  I, think I'll go with my mother's genes on that one, if you'd be so kind."

Master Creator, "How do you feel about height?  Your dad's tall,  six foot two, and so's most of his side of the family.  On the other hand, your mom is just pushing four feet ten and most of her clan is also short in stature."
Me, "Now that's a toughie.  Petite or tall?  Tall like the girl from Ipanema; being able to reach things without the aid of a step stool; being able to look over the head of that annoyingly tall person that always, always sits in front of me at the movie theaters?  You guessed it MC, tall it is!"

To be honest the Master Creator wouldn't have needed to personally ask my preferences just give me a check list of all my options so I could have checked off the ones I would have preferred.
Thin, fragile fingernails that chip easily or thick, healthy nails that can grow long and lovely?  Hum, no brainer that one !

Teeth: mother's large teeth that will require the extraction of 4 molars and then, later, the extraction of 4 wisdom teeth plus 4 or more years in orthodontics . . . or father's smaller teeth that will require very little in the way of extractions and orthodontic care?   Oh, gosh!  Let me see.  Geez, I'm not a big fan of pain and discomfort so guess I'll opt for my father's genomes on that one.

Yes the list could go on . . . and on;  but we all know that, unfortunately, we're not given the option of choosing the genomes of the body that will ultimately hold our souls.  Such a pity !