Because…
I think that I shall never see…this tree. Ever again.
1) it has been hotter than Dutch love here all summer and…
2) Illinois is now an honorary member of the Saharan League and…
3) the city fathers had the bright idea to cut down most of the trees in our downtown, including the one that provided blessed shade right in front of my office…
it’s time to revisit last year’s post, entitled…
Ode To A Tree In Summer
The simple joys of nature.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
While lying in a leafy glade
In summer’s heat, the blessed shade.
But when dog days get even hairier,
I long, instead, for Willis Carrier.
Cuz when the temp hits 103,
I’d rather chill with my A/C.
*Many heartfelt thanks to Willis Carrier, the inventor of the modern air conditioner.
Abject apologies to poet Joyce Kilmer, the author of “Trees”.
**********************************************************************
Only a few short days remain to vote in the Peg-o-Clio Advertising Award contest, right over yonder a spell in the right-hand column. Go on- do your civic duty!
Stay cool, y’all.
Peg-o-Leg's Ramblings 
I LOVE this picture and poetic ditty. You really have to wonder what people are thinking (not?) to cut down a tree in the heat of summer, with no plans to replace and replant until – next summer? Huh??? Most know that fall is the best time to plant trees. TGIF!
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They must have had a lot of complaints because there was a little blurb in the paper a couple of days ago that it’s all part of a grand plan. Yup.
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Cute!
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I love/hate the AC this time of year.
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I don’t know what I’d do with the shade this summer. They really cut down all the trees? That’s just crazy talk!
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They said they were planning to replace them…next summer.
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That’s just more crazy talk. Little needy saplings replacing full-grown trees? Don’t you feel good about how your tax dollars are being spent?
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“Hotter than Dutch love” ?????
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Expression courtesy of my brother-in-law, Pat. He’s from Grand Rapids, MI, an area awash with people of Dutch descent. Apparently this is known characteristic. Who knew?
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They are always cutting down trees over here, but just the branches so they end up looking like something that would not be out of place in a Tim Burton movie
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Oh, well, what do you need branches for…just the LEAVES that provide the SHADE, for goodness sake! But I guess that cool, sculptural look is more important.
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I think that I shall never see
A poet clever as Peg–gy
Whose prose and wit surpasses all
Through winter, summer, spring and fall.
And when my mood begins to fail
As I face each day’s travail
I turn to “Ramblings” for my fun
“Cause when you’re down, that Peg’s the one!
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Wow! Excellent poem, Al! She really is something, that Pegosista!
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Yeah, I’m sure she’s quite a sister. Bet you can’t resist her.
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Never try to trade poetry with Al, Tar – he’s the maestro.
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Cute, clever, and never banal
Those are the comments that one gets from Al.
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Love the poem. I lost my trees during 4/27/11 and I really miss them. I am in love with my ceiling fans AND my AC at the moment. Yes ya’ll it’s still hotter than hillbilly/redneck love here in AL. (ok explain dutch love please?) 🙂
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See my response to Big Sheep above. But hillbilly love? Every territory must think they do it hotta.
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Shades of Mom there, Peg, or is that my husband? I’ve lost my mind! Too much blogging today-I have to go rest.
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Your hubby, of course. Why, does Mom say that now? If so, only under Pat’s influence.
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I’ve never before seen the term “hotter than Dutch Love” but I have fallen madly in love with it. I’m hellbent on finding as many chances as possible to insert it into conversation every chance I get, until winter comes and it’s once again as cold as a witch’s teat.
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…in a brass bra. At least, that’s how they schooled us where I’m from.
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Hotter than Dutch love in a brass bra ?!!? Holy crap! That’s even better than before!
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No, no, Dave. It’s “colder than a witch’s tit in a brass bra”. Although your interpretation has intriguing possibilities, I don’t suggest you go there.
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I just cracked myself up! Of course it’s a witch’s tit in a brass bra. The whole “Dutch love” thing just had me so mesmerized that I couldn’t think straight. Jeez that’s funny!
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Hotter tham Dutch love… would that be similar to what a Norwegian bachelor farmer from Minn-i-soe-ta might experience? (Refermce courtesy of Garrison Keillor)
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No..they’re bachelors, so they don’t get no Dutch love until they’re married.
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I love trees and the poem too (A/C rocks, doesn’t it?). It pains me to hear of a tree biting the dust — particularly when it’s a shade-giver and CO2 scrubber! Was it alive when they cut it? That’s just wrong.
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The leaves were a little brown, but I think that’s the drought. They said the trees were getting too big and the roots were breaking the sidewalk. Next year they’re supposed to replant, but smaller. Makes no sense to me.
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Looking at the small spot of “earth” (surrounded by non-absorbent, dead concrete) that the stump resides on, I might be MORE disappointed if a new tree was planted in its place…small or otherwise. It would be relegated to a slow, deliberate death by lack of water and nutrients. Trees need their space and should be surrounded by earth — all the way out to the drip line.
I’m thinking some ground cover would do nicely there. At least the underworld microscopic beings (as well as the plant) might actually have a chance of survival.
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I am familiar with the term “hotter than Dutch love” but never understood it myself. My mom always said it.
If you must cut one down
Put another in the ground.
There is nothing more lovely to see
Than a great big old shade-givin’ tree.
Sorry, that’s the best I can do – I am on drugs.
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I’d say you done good there, Katy. (hope you’re feeling better)
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I am feeling better – just don’t seem to have many coherent thoughts, and I spend a lot of time praying I don’t cough or sneeze. Other than that – I’m golden…
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Yikes! And make sure you don’t laugh-that could be very painful. Good to hear you’re doing fine though!
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Katy! How nice to hear your voice! (well, you know what I mean). Your poem is lovley, although I would have expected something a bit more Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds based on your drug intake.
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I need better drugs, and a couple hits of oxygen…I am loopier than I remembered being after previous surgeries…that could be good – or not.
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You’re a poet and I didn’t even know it. Aw, why’d they have to go and cut down those trees, Peg? Why? How could anyone want fewer trees?
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It makes no sense! My tax dollars hard at work, doing dumb stuff. I expect that at the federal level, but locally they’re usually much more sensible.
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That is a sad, sad stumpy picture.
But a fab poem!
We have exactly zero trees on our property. Almost three acres of nothing but grass. I live for trees. I worship trees. I have to look longingly at the shade of the tree across the street. It’s really hot here. So hot I won’t go outside unless I can hide under my pathetic patio table umbrella.
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I’m with you. I used to be a connoisseur of the close-in parking spot. Now my whole parking strategy involves finding shade to park in.
We have TONS of trees around our property. We had a huge, ginormous rain storm this afternoon and I cleared all the cushions off the new screen porch, brought the electronics inside, moved the stuff to the middle of the room and sat and watched the downpour. Man, did we need that rain – thank you Lord! But I was concerned one of our huge oak trees might coming crashing down on the house – yikes!
Wishing you lovely shade, Darliniator.
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Dardashian, you should bring the family down to San Diego. It’s been 72-75 degrees almost every day, here. It hit 81 for two days and my neighbors were complaining about the heat. I had to smile since I know how incredibly hot it REALLY is in other parts of the country. I hope it cools down for you all very soon.
You wouldn’t even need to be under an umbrella in this area. 🙂
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Sure, rub it in!
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Well, sure – you have to cut down the trees. They just stand there, not paying property tax, not selling anything, taking up parking spaces. Plus they’re way less efficient than air conditioning… Trees… what a waste.
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That’s the problem in the a nutshell – somebody needs to figure out a tree-tax so they can be productive members of society. Perhaps a penny per leaf dropped?
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If there’s no trees Peg, how can you even “bark up the wrong” one?? See the flaw in cutting them down, now? 🙂
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Good point, MJ!
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I know dozens of Dutch people and I’m surprised to hear anything they do described as hot. They seem to be pretty reserved people. I’ll look into it.
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It’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.
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That’s the point, Great!!
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Were the trees diseased? Were the roots splitting the sidewalks and causing cursory lawsuits by tourists who were visiting to experience the heat and Al’s Bar? Sorry you lost your shade. If you’ll just wait 20 years, I’m sure the city will have you fixed up with a new big oak.
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That’s the really stupid part, Barb. They said they were going to replant next year. Huh???
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Those darn municipalities! What are they good for??
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Absolutely nothing, say it again…Aaahhh! (I hope you can hear the song “War” in that line, Miss Lib??)
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