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I had received several ideas on how to battle the thieves -- I hope they just won't go to waste, but I still don't think it's right for people to just help themselves. A handful or two is one thing but harvesting them without asking was unreal to me.

I had jokingly asked for help to come by and guard it with their sawed-off shotguns; such as, Jeff, Martin, Matt, Dave..., but did they, No-o-o-o! :-)

Some real suggestions were to put a

• "no trespassing sign": My neighbor was thinking of doing that. I thought that should be self evident -- duh.
• "share crop sign": divide in half what you pick, but the apricots were either ripe or green and they would be squashed if placed more than 1 layer deep - besides they'd just step on the fallen ones
• "considerate sign": this tree only produces about every 5 years, please be considerate and let us get the fruit first.
• "chemical sign": I liked this idea - a former student (by the initials of BOB RAJEWSKI) came up with this idea and I liked it. Surely they couldn't sue because it takes that chemical to grow... I did see some potential harvesters pull over and started to get out until they read the signs and then they drove off.

I gave the kids in the neighborhood a summer assignment on finding out what this chemical was. Just because school is out, one should still keep learning :-) Now this year a neighbor boy likes to steps on them. I explained to him that he could have as many as he can get (they're actually too high for him now), but please, please don't step on them, they make such a mess. I wonder if that plea will help?

These homemade signs came apart in our Kansas winds - I thought I had made it strong enough - ha!   (I'm the neutralizing agent -- please ASK!)

I am meeting some neat neighbors and one made me some dried apricots
- love em!

main apricot page

judi 07/11/05