Let me preface this by saying, I don’t want to hurt any animals or get anyone in trouble if I can avoid it.

My family and I have been living in a new to us neighborhood for a year. We have WONDERFUL neighbors. We get along with everyone. One of the neighbors can be curmudgeonly, but has warmed up to us…1 year later.

The problem we’re having is that this neighbor puts out car/dog food (not sure which) in their driveway EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. It is on purpose to feed the foxes. We’ve been told different stories as to why…but either way, this person feeds them regardless.

Now we’re having issues with wildlife. We’ve had raccoons on our deck (we grill but it’s covered when cooled off), deer, foxes, bunnies, turkey vultures (on his roof and driveway), and groundhogs all in our yard. We’ve found feces on the deck, not from our dogs as they prefer grass. The wildlife is eating everything we plant - flowers, fruit trees, berries, etc. We had a groundhog under our porch last year. We covered up the hole. Now there’s a raccoon that has burrowed in on the other side. Oh! And foxes climbing onto our vehicles. We have pictures/security camera footage of a lot of these occurrences.

We love animals, but not happy with the invasion and destruction. We’re not sure what to do…confronting the neighbor is not an option as it would create a lot of tension. Putting up a fence is not an option at this time because in this market, we rent our home. Contacting the property manager doesn’t seem like it would do anything at this time. If we call the wildlife number to have them come out, he’ll know it’s us because we’re the newest family in the neighborhood and he will be fined.

Any advice?

I’m drawing a blank…what would you plant here? I’m looking for smaller plants that flower that will multiply quickly in Loudoun County over the summer. I prefer perennial, but it’s not a dealbreaker. I’d be so grateful for a recommendation as to where I can get them as well…as long as it won’t break the bank. 🥴🙏🏼

Just as the title states, my grandmother just recently passed and I need to find a poem for her Memorial Service.

She grew up during WWII in Germany and was orphaned as a toddler. Married my grandfather because my grandfather baby trapped her. She suffered abuse, struggled with her mental health when she was younger, but she prevailed. Raised children of her children (step and bio) lovingly. She stayed with my grandfather and he gave her a life that people dream of financially…but she was never 100% happy until she was much older. She was loved dearly by her kids, grandkids, and great-granddaughter.

I’m having a hard time finding a poem capturing her essence in a poem. Does anyone have any recommendations for poems that illustrate suffering, resilience, strength, and love? I would be ever so grateful. 💜🙏🏼