Letters to the paper

To the Editor: I read Marnie Whelan-Prasad's column about the HOA and the rosemary with the specific kind of recognition that only people who have lived under covenant-restricted property can have. I have been subjected to seven such letters in my own subdivision, in Pensacola, over the course of the past four years. My infractions have included: a bird feeder, a second bird feeder, the color of my mailbox, the color of my mailbox after I repainted it, a garden gnome, a hanging plant, and the ongoing "general condition" of my lawn. Every letter has been signed by the same woman. Her name is also Patricia. I do not know if this is the same Patricia, operating across state lines, or whether there is a *class* of Patricia. I suspect the latter. In any event, I write to say that I have not removed the bird feeder, the second bird feeder, the gnome, or the hanging plant. I did repaint the mailbox, which I regret. I would encourage Ms. Whelan-Prasad to stand firm on the rosemary. I believe that one day we will find, on our respective streets, that the Patricias have moved on to other towns, and that the bird feeders, gnomes, and rosemaries of this country will stand in the front yards they have always stood in. That is the America I want to leave to my grandchildren. Yours, Patricia M. (no relation) Pensacola, Florida *Editor's note: We are aware of the tension raised by the letter writer's name. We have confirmed with the letter writer that she is not the Patricia referenced in Ms. Whelan-Prasad's column. We have also confirmed, with some regret, that "Patricia M." is the letter writer's legal name. The paper has published the letter as submitted.*