- By Matthew P. Binkewicz
- Around Town
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Lansing's Advice Column
Dear IMO,
Each Memorial Day, my husband and I plant flowers at his parents' and his brother's graves. We have been doing this for nearly five years. This year, because of a family illness, we postponed the planting and waited until things settled down. In the meantime, our nephew placed artificial geraniums on the graves. They look absolutely awful, and I want to replace them with the live flowers that my husband and I usually plant. How can we go about this without offending my nephew and keep the graves looking nice for the summer?
Carol B.
Dear Carol,
This sounds like a very grave issue. Sorry about the pun, but I couldn't resist. I'm sure your nephew noticed the graves were without flowers and knew of the unexpected family illness. So he did what any male of the species would do, he went out and bought artificial flowers. Why not? They last all year round, never need watering, and are always in bloom. Most importantly, from a distance they look great. This is how most of the male species thinks. Seriously, if it really bothers you, approach your nephew and tell him that both of you would like to see live flowers decorating the family graves. Then, when the colder weather comes, he can place the artificial flowers at the graves and the site will have flowers year round. This sounds like a good compromise. I'm sure he'll think so too.
Dear IMO,
I have a dog problem. It's my neighbor's dog. He lets him out every morning, and like clockwork, the dog eventually wanders onto our yard. After a few sniffs around our trees, he proceeds to leave a "memento" on the grass. I wrap on the window and even yell at the dog, but to no avail. Our neighbor calls out the dog's name, the dog hears his master's voice and returns home. Meanwhile, like the good neighbor I am, I go out with my plastic bag and scoop up the memento. I know I should march right up to the neighbor and give him a piece of my mind, but he is a County Sheriff. He puts his life on the line every day, and I hold all law enforcement officials in high regard. I don't want any trouble; I just want his dog to relieve himself on his property, not mine. Do you have any advice on this matter?
Steve K.
Dear Steve,
I also hold law enforcement officials in high regard. However, they must abide by the same laws that they are sworn to uphold. Just because your neighbor is a County Sheriff doesn't give him the right to follow only those laws that he finds convenient. If there is a leash law in your town, then he must certainly know about it. The next time you see him out in his yard, walk over and have a chat with him. Tell him that you are grateful for his service to the community, and that you would be even more grateful if he would not allow his dog to wander into your yard. It's not the dog's fault. The responsibility rests upon the owner regardless of his or her position in the community.
If you have a question or are looking for advice, please email IMO at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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