At this time of year, everyone's thinking about what might get left under their tree.

Me, I actually got a tree!

Well, me and the rest of the Jackson Heights neighborhood. I heard this tremendous drilling sound outside this morning while getting ready for work and discovered they were digging up the sidewalk. Who knows why? The city has its ways. Maybe, I thought, we're getting more cable. Or wi-fi. Or something.

When it all stopped, they'd left a sapling behind!

Before (a few years ago), the view outside my bedroom window:

Empty garden

And after! That is, after this morning!

Voila!

I feel like I got a gift!

When I left today to head to the subway stop I turned down a side street and discovered the actual tree fairies: They were digging up sidewalk and planting the little guys all over, which was very exciting. I know Mayor Bloomberg came up with this "million trees" idea, but I never thought it'd end up in my backyard (figuratively speaking, as I don't have a backyard, and if I did it would smell like fried onions).

I shall call it Bette (after the Divine Miss M, who is also behind the project).