Hanging By A Thread…..

Several years ago city crews came through and "trimmed" many of the trees in our neighborhood. I'm sure it was necessary in order to keep branches from growing in such a way that they would interfere with electric and telephone service. When the trees were in full bloom it was hard to see just how close many of the branches were to the lines running through the neighborhood.

In the spring, before the trees leaf out, it's easy to see just how "severe" the trimming was. As they worked next to our house, some of the bigger branches were cut and fell across our hedge and fence line - prompting a "discussion" between Dave, as homeowner, and the crew working outside. It takes years to grow the kind of hedge bordering our yard and he was quite frustrated that workers didn't seem to be aware of that.

So, after the discussion and a call to the City, the workers were a little more careful as they worked next to our yard….and then moved off down the block.

The next day Fenway and I went our for our morning walk. I crossed the street and looked up - there was one small section of a left-over branch hanging directly over the sidewalk. Over the years this branch grew right around the electric/telephone lines and so the crew just cut the branch around the wire….leaving a big chunk just hanging there, swaying in the breeze.

It really does hang directly over the sidewalk in front of our neighbor's house….the sidewalk where, everyday during the school year, many children and parents walk to and from Fernwood School. My neighbor and I talked about it, I called the city to inquire about it and was told there was no way to cut it down without major interruption in services etc…..so the branch section stayed where it was.

I have to admit, as we walk to the Lake, I do look up to see if it seems "secure" for another day. I can't help but think that at some point this chunk will rot and then fall to the sidewalk below. Hopefully no one will be beneath it when this occurs.

Maybe Fenway and I will just start to cross the street and begin our daily excursion on the other side.