So far, so good, the condition of this new arrival into the life of my dear wife Karen and I.
Our little cherry tree has been rained upon. Big winds blew through the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. Bumblebees circled and frogs leaped. Squirrels teased Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle, and I worked the lawn mower around the edges of the gardens.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …
Sorry, Charlie fans.
If you took a look here Tuesday, you know that Karen and I completed our tale of two cities that began in our Washington, D.C., Easter Weekend Getaway by putting the little Snow Fountain into our front yard this past Sunday. In between, we’d shopped at Hafner’s Garden Center to study the different varieties available to us, weighing what we’d seen in partial bloom in our walk around the Tidal Basin in our Nation’s Capital during the Cherry Blossom Festival against our wishes and needs. Then we took another couple of weeks to discuss and change our minds, from backyard to front.
My great BloggyVille friend Diana took all of this in, from my Cherry Blossom photo essay post back then to this week’s planting story, and offered a suggestion.
She thinks our tree needs a name. (Fair is fair, by the way. Just a bit back, Diana shared a walk back on her memory lane, with photos, to talk about all the automobiles of her life, and my comment there asked if she had bestowed a name upon her latest car as she had on previous models, which she had not.)
Further, Diana suggests a reader contest to pick the name.
And here we have it.
I will, however, offer a few suggestions. You all will have the final say. MDW Karen and I have not yet called this tree anything other than this tree or similar derivatives.
First I will throw out “Cherry Cherry” because the other reason Karen set up this getaway to D.C. was to see the Neil Diamond concert that Saturday night before Easter at the Verizon Center. To be named after Neil’s bouncy song, a tree could go through life with a worse fate, I figure.
“Snowy” seems to be reasonable, considering the species is called Snow Fountain and the tree will live its life in Syracuse, N.Y., the metropolitan snow king of the U.S.A.
“Washington” would play off the city and the father of our country.
“George” goes there, too, but I throw out the caveat that my terrific daughter Elisabeth’s boyfriend already has claim to that one with George Three and I, personally, don’t need name confusion in my life.
“Chinda” was the name of the wife of the Japanese emperor who planted the first two gifted from that nation along with Helen Taft in 1912. OK, I went to history.com to find this one.
I’ll include a write-in space on the ballot below because I know you all have great minds.
Feel free to offer suggestions in comments. Argue among yourselves if you wish. Vote wisely, please. Karen and I hope to call this tree by that name for a good, long time.
Here’s the link to Diana’s fine blog.
Here’s the link to my story and photos about planting the tree.
Do you wish to stump for a particular name for our new cherry tree? Do you name inanimate objects in your life? What’s your favorite nickname for something around your house, and please share the story behind it.
I’m sorry I missed this, but I think we both know I would have picked Cherry Cherry. 🙂
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I know you would have, Rachel. It’s the winner. As you’ll soon discover. ❤
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I VOTED FOR CHERRY GARCIA!!!!!! I love this vote, best reason to vote all year!
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Thanks CM. Ben thanks you. Jerry thanks you. Ha! Love it. 🙂
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🙂 And I haven’t even had this kind yet!!!
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When I was able, it was one of my very favorite flavors, MBC.
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When I get a chance, I will at least give a taste. And toast our friendship and your’s and DWK’s new tree!
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i love cherry tree ❤ Happy Weekend dear friend
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Happy weekend, Leyla! Yay, you are back. ❤
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I voted for Cherry, Cherry, but did like Cherry Bomb and Cherry Baby. Then, for a strange twist on ‘weeping cherry,’ I thought of “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.”
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Hahahahahahaha. Great twist, Robin. You made my second day of reading comments for our little tree. Hahaha. I love it. If we want to make it musical, Don’t Cry for Me Ike and Tina. Happy Friday night, my friend. 😉 Thank you for your great name.
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Why not just Neil. That’s the first thing I though of after I read the title of this post.
Also, now I have this vision of you quoting: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done . . .” as you worked at digging the hole for your new baby.
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Keep using that vivid imagination, Scott, and I’ll be quoting and getting so much done around the Little Bitty! 🙂
Chalk up one vote for Neil. 🙂
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“Cherry Cherry” – do it for Neil! 😀
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Thanks, Kate. Voting continues!
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“Cherry Cherry Snow Fountain Fairy” tree. 😀 😀 😀 I think this name is beautiful and encompasses Karen’s Neil Diamond Song. You could call it Cherry Cherry for short.
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Looks lovely Mark!!
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Thank you, Maria. 🙂
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Hey Mark, can you do me a favor? I composed what I thought was a brilliant response (to my mind) and posted it. I came back later to check if you had responded (wanting, of course to be praised for my brilliance 😀 ), and it was gone. Having run into this from WP before, i had, quite carefully copied the comment before I posted, so I reposted the same comment and it disappeared too. Can you check in your spam folder – it occurred to me that as the comment had some Japanese words in it, it may have gone to spam. Thanks! 😀
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I will check now, Paul. Thanks.
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I guess you didn’t find it, so i’ll reproduce it without the Japanese – that was a bit show offy anyway, ha!
I want to submit Sakura Siracusa
Name #1) Sakura: A cherry blossom is the flower of any of several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese Cherry, Prunus serrulata, which is called Sakura after the Japanese ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom ) The Japanese used to have parties under the cherry trees and drink Saki,
Name #2) Siracusa: Syracuse:1. (Placename) a port in SW Italy, in SE Sicily on the Ionian Sea: founded in 734 bc by Greeks from Corinth and taken by the Romans in 212 bc, after a siege of three years. Pop: 123 657 (2001). Italian name: Siracusa ( http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Syracuse )
Reasons for choosing:
a) The name translates as the Blossoming Cherry Tree of Syracuse.
b) The name resonates with the Bialczak family habit of multiple names : such as Dogamous Pyle or My Dear Wife (MDW) or Little Bitty
c) The name lends itself to easily being familiarized: such short versions as Sira, Saku, or combinations: Sakusa or Sirura
d) The name is alliterative with the two words have the same first and last letters – it is visually pleasing, easily spoken and has a delightful musical sound
e) The name incorporates both Japanese and Italian words in an English setting – the roots of the tree and the community name and a metaphor for the cultural mix of the community with the acceptance and promotion of diversity.
f) The name represents the most research of any of the candidates and it is a positive thing to reinforce hard work work with recognition, Hahahaha! 😀
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That is quite a name, with much work attached, Paul. And with history here as well. In the 80s there was a beloved Japanese restaurant by day/jazz club by night in Syracuse that went by the name of Sakura. So there you have it. Voting closes on Thursday, as you know. I’ll write a post calling our tree by name after that. 🙂 Thank you, my friend.
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If it were mine, I’d call her Droopy. But because she’s yours, I voted for Cherry Bomb.
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Droopy?! Interesting, Barbara. Cherry Bomb is a good vote, my friend. Thank you.
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Well, we are not ones for terms of endearment in my family, Mark, but we mean well. LOL!
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Fun! I like Cherry Cherry and Diane’s CC nickname. I also like Georgette which sounds like Joan Jett which makes me inclined back to CC 😀
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So many good names and only one little tree, Angie McFly! CC. 😉
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I voted for George – and now i have remembered the big to do about the zoo and the name Charlotte. Maybe I will have to leave the country.
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No, you may remain, I think, Rachel. Nobody but us few (hundred I hope) folks here will even know. 🙂
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I had an escape plan – we could all move to where you are and be neighbours! I havn’t seen a proper snowfall in years or indeed a proper summer.
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The house next to Good Neighbor Tim is for sale, Rachel!
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Sooo tempting!
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I will email you the realtor link for fun.
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I’m looking forward to that 🙂
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I sent it. 🙂
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I have voted… Let’s hope the community decides on Washington.
My car is named…I talk to her frequently and apologise when we go over a particularly bad road. She’s a Lincoln Towncar and since she’s so big my grandpa and family always called her the “Boat” or “Mississippi Belle” so I just call her Belle
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I like your car name, Victoria. I can picture Belle wanting to take very good care of you!
OK, a vote for Washington from the younger demographic! Have you applied to Syracuse University yet, or is it still too early for that?
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I hope so! I swear I’ll cry if she gives up the ghost.
As for Syracuse, I’m reevaluating whether I want to make it my main goal just because it’s private and therefore expensive… I’ll still apply, but after some research it seems that it’s very difficult to get scholarships there. I still want to be in New York, though. I don’t really start applying until next winter, so we’ll see then!!
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It is expensive, I hear. You keep working hard, Victoria, and perhaps a lucrative academic scholarship awaits you. I remain one of your biggest fans, my dear.
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Thanks Mark, your comments never fail to put a smile on my face.
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What? Your baby had a “shower” and I wasn’t invited?? Darn it! I am becoming quite fond of her (can we make her a girl?) You need another female in your life (hee,hee). I am going to vote now. 🙂
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You have an open invitation, Mrs. B, if you’re ever bored and need to head the car west on the Mass Pike and NYState Thruway. Mi casa es su party palace. Yeah, I need another girl in my life, don’t I, MDW Karen, darling daughter Elisabeth and Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle?
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George was the first name I thought of before I saw the suggestions, so it got my vote. The name’s going out style with human babies, so it needs to be kept alive somewhere!
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George is my middle name, so I have a tie, too, Bill. 🙂 It kind of looks like a George, doesn’t it?
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I can not tell a lie…. it does indeed.
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I rather like Fountain of Life, Mark… but I spotted Cherry Bomb in the comments and that’s my new favourite. 🙂 I’ve come in late to the story so I’ll have to journey off now to see how Cherry Bomb is going to look when it grows up. My husband designs gardens for a living so this post is quite a good jump off point. Nice to meet you 🙂
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Thanks so much for joining the fun, Jo. With your hubby’s profession, I suddenly feel added pressure as you peruse past entries. 😉
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I think this one will go easy and the name is almost a done deal. 🙂 🙂
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Yes, landslide you think, don’t you, LCTC?! 😉
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I do. Time will tell. 🙂
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i name everything. my old car was ‘el diablo rojo.’ (red devil) and new one is ‘sylvia’ the shiny silver one.
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You have fine style, Beth. 🙂 I need to start naming more things after we settlle on the winner for the tree. After all, the Little Bitty has worked out so well for our house. My car, maybe. My blog? 😉
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Georgette? 😀
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Nice, J, the way you open the gender box and fix the name clone problem all at once. Fantastic! One vote for Georgette!!
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How fun. I like Cherry Cherry. I picture y’all holding your tea mugs by the window and commenting on her beauty.
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Yes, the lingering looks of love from the parents, slyly from the window, Red. 😉 Cherry Cherry with another vote!!!
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As soon as you mentioned a name, Cherry Cherry was what came to mind. You gotta go with your gut.
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Cherry Cherry was my initial choice, and is gutting it our in the poll pretty good, Kerbey!
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Well, I say you capitalize on irony as well as the king (or queen) of all the weird celebrity names out there and call it Apple…but that’s just me! My son suggested I name my new used bright red Chevy Cruz ‘Christine’. Think of the evil connotations. Cars definitely get a name.
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There’s so much baggage to Christine for your new red Cruz, Marissa! OK, I like the Apple vote for my cherry tree, ironic one. 😉
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Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you will reveal what you decide on.
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Next Thursday. One week, the voting poll closes and the big reveal will be posted, Marissa. 😮
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Apple, apple, apple, apple…
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Ch-Ch-Ch-Cherry Bomb! For all ytou Runaways fans out there!
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Cherry Bomb jetts out with a second supporter! Thanks, Phil, for rocking the vote.
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If i have that tree..i will name it christmas cherry.. because it does resemble a bit of christmas tree shape. And cherry makes the name sweeter….he he he
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Thank you for your holiday spirit, nakedshade. One for Christmas Cherry!
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I do name all the things — not just houseplants and vehicles. I have a mixer named Ethel and a teapot called Evelyn. Those are my most recent additions. I like Cherry Cherry! 🙂
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I like your kitchen pals Ethel and Evelyn. If you made a lethally loaded boozer in the blender you could slightly alter it to Ethyl for one night, Joey. 😉 OK, one more vote for Cherry Cherry. 🙂
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Did you ask the tree? Maybe he/she already has a name… Just in case not, I will scroll back up and vote for Cherry Cherry.
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Thanks, Ros. The official name of Snow Fountain is too stuffy, I find. I think we need something more informal, and I’m glad you voted, my friend.
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Cherry Amour(Cherie Amour)???
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Very nice, Mrs. D! Your vote is noted. 😉 Sweet.
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Thank you. Oh and as a fan of Joan Jett, I also have to chuck in Cherry Bomb 🙂
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Joan would vote for Cherry Bomb in a runaway. 😉 Thanks for a second, Mrs. D.
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LOL! Good one 🙂
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Call it “The Don” after Don Cherry the best Hockey announcer ever. Of course the tree does look after the family so in Mafia terms “Don” would be appropriate.
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OK, Mica, I have registered your vote for The Don. 🙂
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Mark, I love that you’re using the poll. I voted Cherry Cherry, but suggest you shorten that to CC (cool name, huh?) I like the connection between the ND concert and tie in with buying the tree.
Thanks for the link back to my blog, how lovely of you to do so. ❤
Diana xo
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CC is very cool, Diana. We shall see in a week!
And of course I linked to your blog. Credit where credit is due, thank you. 😉 ❤
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I voted for Washington because it’s kinda shaped like his hair. Just sayin’. 😉
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My new tree is wearing a powder wig! And I didn’t realize it, Rachel. 🙂
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I have a name for the two cats painted on my wall. Don’t laugh.
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No laughing, LR. I bet they’re great pet names. 😉
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Taffy and Bianca! I’ll do a post later today lol. Just to show you!
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Taffy was the name for my first pet dog! I’ll be reading your post, LR. 😉
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Awh! Thank you Mark!
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I just voted, Mark. Cherry Baby, although I think I misspelled Sherry Baby by the Four Seasons.
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Good name, Ann! Thank you. 🙂
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I’m very competitive, Mark. Did I win?
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A name will emerge as the winner next Thursday, at the deadline, competitive Ann!
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You should name your tree Mari Chino… I seldom name inanimate objects, I just don’t get that attached to things. I can’t think of one single thing around my house that has a nic-name.
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I shall note one vote for Mari Chino, Tina. I think you should pick ONE think around your house and give it a name, just for giggles. How about the refrigerator?
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I’ll consider it… not the refrigerator, I only tolerate it’s presence to please the family. I’ll have to choose something I enjoy like my french press or maybe my car or possibly my vibrator. Bwah ha ha ha
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May I suggest steamy? No, not the refrigerator … Hahaha. French press.
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possibly chaud?
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There you go.
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Done… not sure I’ll remember it but, we’ll see
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I hope you don’t.
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