Keeping Busy

David Maraniss came to the Troy, MI library to talk about his latest book Once in a Great City: A Detroit Story. The auditorium was filled!

I read his book over a year ago through NetGalley. You can read my review at
http://theliteratequilter.blogspot.com/2015/09/once-in-great-city-detroit-story-by.html

Maraniss addressed the inspiration behind his book, his Detroit childhood, and the main themes in the book. He showed several short films including the Superbowl commercial that inspired him to explore his response of nostalgia.
 http://www.candgnews.com/news/michigan-notable-book-author-explores-detroit-60s-92631

Maraniss noted the changes in  Detroit since researching his book starting in 2011, mentioning the influx of young people and the new businesses in Mid-town. His book addresses the dismantling of historic African American communities under the guise of "urban renewal.  It prompted me to ask a question. I follow Angel Flournay, author of The Turner House set in Detroit, on twitter. A few weeks ago she was in the city and tweeted her shock at finding herself the only person of color in Midtown. So I asked Maraniss if he thought that Detroit's come-back was reflecting the historic racial split of Detroit's past. He replied that officials are aware of the need for all communities to be involved with restoration.

*****

We have removed a 40+ year old pine tree and trimmed out 40+ year old silver maple. It's all our neighbor's fault, as he was removing two trees and thought we would want to ( he wanted us to) remove the pine.

The Pine Tree Before

The Silver Maple Before

The trees in our yard were all planted in the 1970s by my father. The pine had a curved trunk, ran through all the electric and cable lines to the house, and the trunk split into two half way up. The maple has shallow roots and it hung over the electric lines and our garage roof. So we trimmed it up.

 We watched as he climbed up the tree and cut one branch of the trunk then the other.

And the maple looks so different now!

The neighbor's tree greatly shaded our yard. We actually have some sunshine now...which is giveing hubby ideas for plantings...