RIP Bradford Pears

We knew it was bound to happen one day, but nothing we could have done would have prepared us for it. Last fall, one of our beautiful bradford pear trees split. We were fortunate that it didn't do any real damage to our house or our wonderful neighbors. Since the split tree needed to come down, we reluctantly decided to take the other one down, too. It wasn't too far behind its compadre, and we might not be so lucky on the second split.

Newly retired Uncle Johnny has a knack for taking down trees. So, he spent last Thursday and Friday at our house doing the deed. Samantha watched him in awe. I think she might have been more upset than Steve and I. She kept asking me "What Uncle Yonny doing to trees? Poor tree! Oh-no!"

So long, dear friends. So long, privacy. And so long, wonderful shade to the front of our house. JC Penney, we will be visiting very soon to purchase a boatload of blackout curtains!

Samantha is comforted by her friend Maddie from across the street.

Taking a rest with Uncle Johnny, the hardest working man in Knoxville last week.

Goodbye. We will miss you until the fall. Then we will be ecstatic not to rake up your mass of leaves.

Samantha watches the last limbs come down from the safety of the house.