Rosebush Redux

What happened to the rosebush, that 40 year old wonder that was carefully nourished to the point of thriving again?  It was cut down, nearly destroyed.  More about that shortly.

Time flies.  Especially when you're busy.  While you experience events, like raising children, you're involved.  The doing keeps the mind off the clock, immersed in the present.  Then the kids grow up. and head in their own directions, as do the parents.

It's been that way for my family.  My son finished his Bachelors in History and is embarking on the military portion of his life.  Daughter is continuing a fine arts education.  Mom is in Law School.  Me?  I'm writing a 4 novel series, a screen treatment and a short story collection.  I'm the only one not in school lol.  Busy.

Recent occurrences have been the result of busy, plus lots of rain and absence.

We've been so involved in our pursuits that we let the grass grow, literally.

We lost our yardman, the talented landscaper who brought the rosebush back to life.  Well, he cleared it and nurtured it.  It was strong to begin with.  It just needed encouragement.

There was no contract with his guy.  He rented.  Round here that means transient.  So, lease up, he moved.  No harm no foul.

Indianapolis people know we had one wet Spring.  Plush and lush, flora sprung up like alien plant life.

Wrapped in our business, we came and went as the grass silently grew.

Three things happened virtually simultaneously. 

Ruthie attempted to revive her mower, which had not been used the last season.  This was due to our neighbor/yardman having access to other equipment.

Apparently some zealous inspector was alerted to tall grass.  Subsequently Ruthie received a demand to cut said tall grass. 

The kids and I got her a new weed whacker to quickly solve the problem.  The tall grass was whacked to an acceptable level.

In spite of the timely solution, the city dispatched a contractor to mow.  They invaded the yard, ignoring the work and used an industrial mower, skinning the ground.  A weed whacker was involved.  That is known because the rosebush was almost completely cut down.

All the new shoots tenderly cared for were cut.  All the flowers literally nipped in the bud.  All that remained was that original branch, which had valiantly poked through the weeds before.  It was lacerated, but intact mostly.  Though it was evident the contractors attempted to destroy that branch, it survived.  One live bud is slowly blooming near the tip.  Already a couple of new shoots have sprung, prolific after the rape of the yard.

Ruthie's violets suffered a dismal fate, cut to the ground by a mower not intended for lawn care/maintenance  A decorative grass circle was also leveled.

This was the unkindest cut of all, in tandem with an unnecessary 'visit' by bungling people who get so much fee for each yard they level.

We are all for civic improvement.  Much has been done to alleviate vacant housing.  But the flipside is an overzealous contractor and negligent inspector which soured our view.

Now the world is full of woe, and a cut rosebush is small potatoes we know.  But wrong is wrong.

That wonder, the rosebush planted by Ruthie's Mom 40 years ago will live.  And thrive again.

Think about what this means re Freedom.  It's simple.

We bumped into a bureaucratic department, which is a juggernaut.  Or did they bump into us?  One can see the potential for corruption and profit in spite of citizens.  All in the guise of civic improvement.

And they are heavy handed in penalty, which for real offenders should work.  But for those who are innocently caught up and poor, it can be devastating. 

We have attempted contact with Department of Code Enforcement.  Guess what?  A number which led to another voicemail.  And Vivian Harris has NOT returned the call.  Not sure her 'title' but it seems sloppy, cowardly and unprofessional/unbusinesslike not to reply.  So far the stereotype of the above mentioned ilk.

Ruthie is working on resolving the city's mistake.  I'm helping however I can.

It may merit a post when we are finished.  Til then, we are mum for obvious reasons.

Remember, that good intentions and the old 'there otta be a law' bit roll quite easily into governmental abuse.  It isn't just guns/2A in danger.  It's our entire lives.