On Growth, Loss and Trees -

The day hurricane Irene skirted past the Florida coast a storm hit my home with a sheer wind of 50+ mph.  As circumstances would go... My prized Jacaranda tree was split in two. Half fell on the hen's enclosure. Half on my neighbor's new fence.


Of course I'm very grateful that none of the girls were harmed... They were shaken up - But recovered with the continuation of a somewhat normal schedule...

But the tree half that fell on the fence is an entirely different story that went progressively worse as events unfurled...

Here's the story: For as long as I've lived here there was a shared fence between me and my neighbors. It was covered with jasmine and planted with a row of plumbago.

This past winter my neighbors replaced the fence and in doing so the crew totally destroyed my section of the yard... Not wanting to cause too much fuss... I just replanted the 30 foot area - Out of my pocket and with my labor...



The only thing the crew didn't decimate was my large avocado tree planted in a corner between our two properties...

Avocado and Yellow Tabebuia

Well, the fallen jacaranda caused these neighbors to question the "safety" of their fence should the avocado tree ever fall...


In hind-sight I would have said that's what home-owners insurance is for.
I would have taken a stand like Butterfly did for Luna.
I would have told them, if necessary - to pursue legal action.
I would have been the "stubborn" person I used to be - 

Well... On my kitchen counter sits the last avocado from that tree and it carries a bitter lesson learned from introspection.

You see, five years ago I would never have betrayed that tree or my right to it...  It was not only my tree... But also my food!  But many of my traits have changed since I've taken on issues regarding nonhumans...

I've become overly cautious not to offend to the point where I've lost my assertive edge. Replacing it instead with the desire to do almost anything to be agreeable, friendly, respectful, cooperative, patient, kind, understanding - blah, blah... The thought is: People will never like my vegan message unless they like me first.  As a consequence, I find I bend over backwards to please... But like the jacaranda - That bend has it's breaking point too.

I now know that there are people who would cut down trees and cut down sentient life without a single regard to consequences, justice... Or reason.  These folks operate on whim and frivolous demands that always involve having their way... And no matter how nicely they are dealt with they won't be happy.


Case in point: After the removal of the avocado tree the "suggestion" that the tangelo tree was also a potential "nuisance"! Ugh!!!


A wicked force of nature denies shade and pretty flowers.  A meddling, impossible-to-satisfy-neighbor however, ignites me to re-examine just how amicable I'm willing to be... Because concessions with trees and beings always have a cost... In the future I intend to budget my tolerance much more wisely.


This saga of personal growth will be continued... Along with new plantings and an update on Cleo.


Final note: Since this video both Eunice and Chicklett have passed...  They were the original two hens...  The first two chickens I ever knew or  loved.

Eunice went first... And her sister was never the same afterward.  I know for certain she died of a broken heart.  She'd never willingly leave the place where Eunice was laid.  They are both together again.  Rest sweetly my lovely girls...