The Spruce

While life seemed busy this week, overall we had a  relaxing week full of wonderful Summer evenings  spent outside.  The weather was humid early on, but we had some absolutely spectacular weather later in the week and into the weekend.  I was happy to be able to turn off the AC and open the windows and to be able to get out with the girls to enjoy it.  Somehow we're already two-thirds of the way through July and we still have so much to do to make the most of our Summer.

Our week started with me wondering about the fate of our favorite Spruce tree.  In 2019, the Lansing Boatd of Water and Light did a huge tree removal and trimming campaign throughout the city.  Many trees near the power lines were removed or trimmed, and my Spruce survived that round with just a toppng. Lots of beautiful trees in the neighborhood weren't as lucky.  Since then it has continued to thrive and grow.

This May, they were back surveying the trees in the neighborhood again for another planned trimming and tree removal.  It was strongly recommended that my Spruce be cut down, and I sadly signed a paper authorizing the removal and watched as a big blue X was painted on the tree.  I was told crews would arrive in about three weeks.

I was sure when I returned home from our trip to Minnesota a few weeks ago, the tree would be gone but I was pleasantly surprised to see it still standing when we arrived home.  

Last week, I started to see the tree crews in the neighborhood, and this Monday morning at 7:45am the trucks arrived and parked on the street directly across from my house.  This made for a long day for the girls since they couldn't spend as much time outside as they normally would because I didn't know when the crews might need to enter my yard.  And it made for a long day for me too, sad that I might be saying goodbye to my tree.

Shortly before 5pm, the trucks pulled away after a full day of tree trimming along my street, but with my tree still standing.  It had been a long day, and the girls were happy to be able to get out into the yard again.  It was such a beautiful evening that we just stayed home and, after diner, we enjoyed a relaxing evening out in our own yard.  

Tuesday morning arrived and the tree crews were back bright and early.  When one of the crew members started walking around my yard, I ran out to talk to him and got up the nerve to ask about saving the tree.  I told him I had changed my mind about allowing the tree to be cut down and would prefer that they just top it.  He made no promises, but said he would check to see if that would be an option...and then I waited.

Once again, the girls were stuck inside because the tree crews could show up at any time.  I knew from talking to the employee that they'd be in the yard to trim my Williow tree sometime that morning, so I kept the girls safely inside with just a couple of quick trips out for potty breaks.  Mina was not pleased that I didn't let her stay out to lounge in the sun.

But with brain games and kongs, I kept them happy inside, and they even settled in for a nice nap.  We had another quiet evening at home enjoying the peace and quiet of a beautiful Summer evening.

Wednesday morning the tree was still standing and the crews were back in the neighborhood, but parked further down the street, which is where they spent most of their day.  I let the girls go outside a little more, but had to keep an eye out in case they showed up at our yard again.

Then on Wednesday after work, I made my way out to the shelter for our Wednesday dog walking club.  I didn't walk a dog myself, but we had four wonderful dogs on our walk.  Bejeweled is our longest resident at the shelter and one of my favorite dogs there.  If she could live with other dogs, I'd foster her, but she needs to be an only dog so I just make sure to give her as much love as I can while I'm there.

I saw these cool mushrooms along our walk and had to snap a picture.  They were huge!

Thursday morning arrived, and the girls were up and outside before 7:30.  I wanted them to get some time outside before the tree crews arrived again for the day.  

At 7:40, the first truck arrived and pulled up right beside my yard.  I knew then that the day had arrived when the fate of my Spruce would be decided.  I brought the dogs inside and Mina sat next to me on the bed providing moral support as I worked and waited to see what would happen.  At about 8:30, the tree trimmer got into the bucket and raised himself to the top of the tree, and the cutting began.  In about 10 minutes, he was done, had lowered the bucket, and they were picking up the branches and cleaning up the sidewalk.  Someone was watching over us that day, and my tree survived with just a little trim off the top.

The girls were happy that they were able to spend a lot more time outside throughout the day.  So was I.

We visited the South Lansing Farmer's Market after work to pick up a few things.  Before our visit, I took the girls on a quick walk around the nearby neighborhood.  When we arrived at the  market, the girls were treated to some special treats baked by one of our favorite vendors, Sweets and Treats by Tangie.  

We ended our day with a pre-sunset walk at Frances Park.  It was a beautiful evening for a walk.

Friday I had a crazy day at work.  Luckily the temperatures were comfortable so the girls got to spend a majority of the day outside while I focused on all I had to get done. 

When the day was done, we drove out to the farm to pick up  a few things and then I took the girls to the dog park for a little fun.  

They had a great time running and playing on the agility equipment as well as lounging in the grass.

On the drive home, we stopped in Old Town for a walk and a visit to Preuss Pets.  On our walk we crossed paths with Kirbay Preuss who was out on a walk with her daughter.   The best thing about shopping local is that the business owners tend to know their customers,  and she greeted us by name, said she'd been thinking of us, and then told me that they were planning their remaining ice cream socials for this summer, and asked me if there were dates that would work better for us.  Small gestures like that will keep me shopping at Preuss. 

Saturday morning I was up early to meet a friend who's been fostering Cruel Summer, or Louie.  They had to be out of town for the day, and I agreed to watch him for them while they were gone.  We were only home about an hour before I left to go to the shelter for our Saturday morning dog walk.  Louie came along because he was scheduled to meet with a potential adopter.  He is such a sweet boy, so I there was no doubt in my mind that he'd be adopted.  I was right.

My Saturday morning walking buddy was Cornelia Street.  I love this dog.  She is a gentle giant and just wants to be loved.  We had a great walk.

After dog walking at the shelter and Louie getting adopted, I headed home for a quiet and productive Saturday at home.  Over the last couple of weeks, the weeds have taken over my garden, so I spent the afternoon weeding and trimming plants and I finally picked my first zucchini of the season. I still have a little work to do today, but it looks so much better now.

I have some things to do around the house and yard today, but mostly we're just going to take it easy.  I have a crazy week ahead of me with far too much to do, so we're going to have a nice day at home.  I'm looking forward to it.  More Summer days should be just like today.