Patience, gentlemen, patience. You have given me a lot to think over. What follows is impossibly long, but as I say at the bottom, I want to keep learning, so I've taken the time to explain myself. Hopefully, it may help not only future exchanges between us, but also other discussions with other "newbies." As well, there's an extremely valuable discussion here that needs to be re-focused--it isn't about me, but trees and what they do. I hope this helps us get back on that track. I didn't mean to confuse anyone. And I suppose I've made several assumptions about having a discussion here that were a bit off base, as well, which is evident in my approach. I'm learning, though, and I want to continue to learn from you all, so I hope you'll cut me a bit of slack. Firstly, I like to approach problems from a general point of view and then apply that to a particular circumstance. That is why I am reading the books, walking the neighbourhoods, etc. And I guess that's why it may seem I'm jumping back and forth between the "abstract" and the "particular." Yes, this thread is a continuation of my first thread--someone there did recommend I plant a tree--the next question, for me, was "where?" I started a separate thread because, well, I was embarrassed by the plan I drew, and I thought, "I wonder what factors I need to consider" when thinking about where to plant a tree. I also assumed I'd want a "small" tree, about 20 feet tall or so, in order not to block the views from and to the house. I've learned far more than just, "the placement depends on what is around it," however. I've learned that: 1) I have no idea of size and scale when it comes to a landscape. For example, I hadn't known that a tree 20' tall is considered "small!" 2) I really do need to consider time. We do intend to be here until the the kids pack us off to a nursing home, but how long am I willing to wait for a tree to reach maturity? 3) A tree is more like the lamp than a sofa (which, by the way is so counter-intuitive to me, I need a week to absorb that piece of information alone.) (In fact, I'm tempted to start another thread that starts, "What's a sofa?") 4) I don't know whether my lot is large or small-- 5) I have no idea how to divide the space horizontally, nor vertically and a tree does both. 6)) I don't know how to balance on this scale. I thought I wanted a front yard that looked nice from the sidewalk, now I'm not so sure that's the overriding criterion. 8) trees create a scale of reference. They have a sphere of influence--and create vertical lines. (Ok, I knew they created vertical lines, but somehow I'm understanding that a bit more deeply.) 9) Most valuable, though, is that I'm beginning to understand that a tree sculpts space. These are excellent things to know. I've been working on altering a photo of the house and yard to post to this thread, to move the discussion from the general (which does seem to be spinning in circles) to the specifics of my lot: and yet, given 1) small trees, other than Mountain Ash don't seem to be terribly hardy, here, 2) my shifting and sliding priorities for the front yard, 3) the limitations of the camera (in that in only captures a view from one vantage point and it's framing may be misleading) and 4) I'm wondering if I even want a tree at all. I'm hesitant to do so. Laag mentioned that the most I could hope for was "more to think about in order to broaden my objectives." That doesn't sound like an invitation to post a picture and discuss my property--it sounds like an opportunity to learn more about how the placement of a tree affects balance, symmetry, scale, spheres of influence, form, etc. And if the "most" (and it's a lot) I can learn from a thread like this is all that, then the most you can expect from me, perhaps, --until I've got some idea of all that-- is the response, "yeah but." However, it doesn't all have to happen in this thread, nor this week! I hope this helps you clear up your confusion about me and my approach to the question. The last thing I want to do is irritate, antagonize, or otherwise alienate anyone. I'm here to learn as much as I can.

If you wanted the jar to be in the tree you could get the tree to totally surround it. This may take a while though, similar to getting a barbed wire fence growing through a tree... Or you could but it down into the root ball, and the tree would naturally surround it. It would be best to choose a fast growing tree. Willows grow fast, and I assume they would heal fast too. If the crematory jar was made more into a tube, the tree could easy be trained to grow around it, like the fence, and totally encapsulate in over time. The trick then would protecting the container and making it look semi-decent while the growth process is taking place. THE BEST IDEA however, would be to grow the tree specifically to be used for such a situation around a decorative with a lid facing outward. This way, the crematory jar could simply be placed into the tree whenever the death occurs in the family. The cover of the tree box could be part of the memorial, or it you really wanted, it could manufactured out of glass once the tree finished encapsulating it. do you like that idea? Go ahead and use the idea if you like. You would need to make the side walls of the box very strong, possibly with a domed top, or have a triangle box to support the weight of the tree that will grow above it.... Good Luck!

The first thing that came to mind is a pendant a longtime friend and local jeweler created for me. My DH & I were high school sweethearts and we became engaged during college. To buy me a ring, he worked a side job while attending classes and doing an internship. It was a gold band with a 1/4 ct. diamond in a simple raised setting. I was thrilled with it, but he regretted the stone was small. On our 25th anniversary he surprised me with a new ring. I was touched, but had such a sentimental attachment to the one I'd worn for decades that he had this pendant made - the circle is my original ring. It represents my design philosophy because it's a simple, practical piece made of fine materials that has a personal attachment or connection. I photographed it on an unembellished black cashmere sweater (which also reflects what I'm drawn to - style/color). The ring is yellow gold but the bail and diamond setting was done in white gold, so it works whether I'm wearing gold or silver jewelry. It's casual enough to wear with a t-shirt, but can look elegant with a velvet dress. This piece isn't showy and wouldn't elicit "Wows" but it is unique and special to me. Same can be said about my homes and how I've chosen to furnish and decorate them.

"Any thoughts on just tearing down the whole mailbox thing ..." Admittedly, it is a pretty crude example of masonry. And a classier one would be a better look, since it's front and center. But then, you'd have to get a just right one for it to make a difference. The only reason to change now is to add a magnetic appeal, since no one is going to not buy the house on account of the mailbox. Any planting around it should be simple, not busy ... so just one kind of plant. " Any thoughts on a better garage door? Yes ... get one! Truthfully, I don't care for many of the suggestion of my fellow forum advice givers when it comes to garage doors and think many of them look gimmicky and are likely to end up in the future being classified as a mediocre fad of this period in history. But your door looks cheap. It's also front and center so would be a good thing to make look better. How to describe what it would look like is tough for me because I don't have a good picture of available ideas for them in my mind. However, I've noticed that garage doors with a bank of rectangular windows in the top panel always look better. I've seen some with lots of glass or all glass (like the fire station doors) that also look great but one would need an immaculate garage for that kind. I prefer doors that coordinate with other trim on the house ... not those painted darker. I think a main problem with door appearance is that there's so much blank space. So having some interesting details of some kind help. Large wrought iron looking decorative strap hinges, carriage door handles, or even a pattern of large rivets are all things that added personality to garage doors without looking crazy. Whatever is added must be compatible with the overall home style. Search Google Images for decorative garage door hardware and see what you come up with. Per the porch posts ... I don't think I dislike them, but would need to see with the hedge out of the way. If they were white, maybe fine. The panels that flank the windows ... I'm not sure what those are. If they're shutters, they need a new color scheme. If they're architectural panels, maybe ditto. What are they?