The Grief Factor

So the landscapers came today and removed all of the shrubs in the front of the house. The plan is to clean up all the overgrown crap and replant everything from scratch. They also installed a new red maple tree out by the street to help bring back some vegetation to the neighborhood. You’ll recall late last fall the city cut down all the ash trees in the township.

Next up is the huge task of removing the lava rocks in the beds where the shrubs were removed. The landscaper is very happy to do this for us. All we have to do is pay him a ton of money and the job will be done. “The Grief Factor” may apply in this case and we’ll end up letting him do it. Quite often we go to great lengths to avoid grief in many situations. Sometimes it’s expensive but in our mind, usually worth the cost.

In Phase Two we’ll replant new shrubs along the front of the house. Our man will be right there giving us suggestions and happily taking our money. This job we may do ourselves. How hard can planting several small trees and bushes be? I guess we’ll find out. Perhaps I can let the guy design something for the front with suggestions on what we should plant. Afterward, we’ll say “sorry we ran out of money” and decline his services. Then with his expert suggestions, we’ll just go on our own and finish the job.

And the grief will be over.