A man with a plan...

Back in 2003 we had a local landscape architect draw up some plans for our small front yard. A year later we actually implemented it using a local nursery. The landscape architect is a bit of a character. He gave us the plan but never wrote down the plant types. (He told us we would receive them by mail, but we never did...perhaps because we didn't go with his friend's nursery). In the end, we chose a local nursery and the guy took his best shot at the plant types.

The landscape architect made a big deal when he presented the plans of giving all the plant names in their Latin terms (perhaps to impress us). When he finished, he paused...presumably it was his hint we were supposed to hoist him on our shoulders and carry him around our living room chanting his name. We actually liked his plan, though Paul couldn't help but needle him just a little bit. What follows is pretty much part of that conversation...

ARCHITECT: ...arborvitae , tilia cordata, quomodo invidiosulus nomine grinchus Christi natale abrogaverit, ex nihilo, reductio ad absurdum...

(Long pause as he waits for praise)

ARCHITECT: Well, what do you think?
PAUL: Well, it seems fine and all...but...
ARCHITECT: Fine? Is something wrong?
PAUL: Well, it is missing something...
ARCHITECT: What?
PAUL: Well, it's missing something right out in the front by the street.
ARCHITECT: What?!?!
PAUL: One of those little jockey statues holding a lantern.

(At this moment the architect tries to swallow but can't. His face gets red. He stops breathing)

MICHELE: Stop that Paul! (to architect) He's just kidding!

(architect starts to breath again)

The original plan with plant types written in by local nursery guy...
...rain spots were acquired when local nursery guy left plan out in rain...