I read your article "It was a jungle out there," and was distressed, but not surprised, to see there is actually an organization designed to force yard conformity on all citizens. I was born in Western North Carolina and have always loved the mountain jungle growth of vines climbing on trees, bushes, dogwood, ivy, and rhododendron hells so characteristic of wild mountain jungle growth. To actually have a club to urge doing away with all that beauty to conform to someone's preconceived perception of beauty is an insult to the peace of mind that beauty of the world in such environments brings to the inner spirit. The very idea that someone would think that boring manicured yards so endemic to modern urban life is attractive or "pretty" is beyond my imagining. When I came to Columbia over 40 years ago, I fenced in the yard and simply let it go into a natural jungle and the plants, trees, bushes, and vines, where other natural wonders of the world have enjoyed living with me there, because I have left them alone to do their thing at my house. I have even had quail and possum in the yard who enjoyed the ambiance it afforded, until someone (probably a member of the club you wrote about), complained and I had to remove them from the paradise they enjoyed.

Due to complaints from those who abhor nature's natural beauty, such as those jungle hating, mowed lawn loving, conform to the neighbor at all cost, make the yard pretty fanatics, the City of Columbia periodically comes by, and without my permission, begins to cut my ivy, trees, bushes, and vines growing on the edge of my private property. I have to watch or they will slip onto my private property and cut them when I am not at home. I have called the city attorney and city maintenance personnel and asked by what authority they can come by and cut my private "jungle," on my private property for which I pay taxes. The answer has been that those who hate such growth periodically complain, so they feel obligated to accommodate those who like to see "pretty yards," and not offensive natural eyesore growths such as my jungle lots appear to them to be. So, the group you applaud in your article, devoted to having all yards appear devoid of natural "jungle" growth, has even put pressure on the city to encroach onto private property in violation of the constitutional right to private ownership of land with encroachment by government, in order to support those who hate nature's bounty and strive to have every yard look the same.

When I saw your article I was immediately attracted to the "before" photographs and repelled by the damage done by that group who produced the "after" appearance, which so appalled me. So, now, after having read your article, I am sure many people may go out and cut down "offensive" vines, wild flowers, plants, bushes and ivy, in order to conform to what they may perceive is the "approved" appearance of a yard by a group devoted to doing away with all natural jungles.

Thanks for listening to my response to your article. You did a good job of passing along the wishes of the anti- nature group you wrote about.