Today I yanked the bulbs. They were too fragile and, well, too attractive. I watched as three people picked flowers yesterday. Which isn’t that aggravating since it’s not malicious like stealing or vandalism, but I’m just fed up. We’ll enjoy them in my garbage-strewn backyard, and I’ll replace them with the hardier, grassier plants they seem to have mostly left alone. I’m not giving up, I swear! My tree is doing well and I’m researching options for a tree pit surround: it’s between spending some bucks for a wrought iron, Brooklyn Heights-type deal or just wood painted black like in front of the Wyckoff Starr café. Either option will be well-cemented-in.

*sigh*

UPDATE (AS IF YOU CARE): Got home and a ton of the border blocks were shoved in. As I was fixing them, a guy came up and apologized for what happened to my plants, and said they looked nice. Just then, a lady pulled up in her car and said I have to get a fence, she has the same problem, it’s the only thing that keeps the kids out. When she drove off, the first guy said “you know…some people do care.”

I nodded and thanked him. If we’re going to flourish here, building bridges with our decent neighbors is necessary. It’s easy to paint them all with a broad brush of disgust: unfortunately in a neighborhood full of vandalism and petty theft and trash, those who keep their hands to, and pick up after, themselves aren’t the ones you notice. But they’re here. Say hi.