The city tore down a big old tree a few years ago. Shocked me when they showed up and started destroying it, as did realizing despite owning the house I cannot stop them, and for that matter they’re probably accurate about removing something big and dying that later wreaks havoc. I saw a windshield smashed in last week after the big storm. Big weak branches of an old tree. They planted a London Plain in its place which is remarkable, if you ask me it is the greatest bark ever invented. But it isn’t flourishing as does the Gingko beyond the poppies which also was planted after they took down another old beauty. I like imagining the healthy size of the Gingko in seventy years, I will never know. The London Plain concerns me, I will add compost around it, I will try to give it more water when it’s too dry. I wish I knew for sure if it’s hurting and how else I could help. I must go to Guelph today and be there for when the heat technicians come to inspect my mother-in-law’s furnace. Someone younger has to make sure they aren’t manipulating an older customer with their many boondoggles. This and that extra fee, extra concern. I volunteered but it’s still sort of like guessing how to help a London Plain. Spent time playing my Seigal-Schwall imitation in E. I often forget one can use a lot of C for E’s blues scale. Who doesn’t like it when they can use C and whip around all the white keys like having keys to the quarter drawer of a pinball machine. Seeing how to whip around in E is the exact type of clarity I’m seeking for the tree and the technicians.