We have a quiet postal worker who opens the box and moves on. Last year he did not like the bee balm growing around mailbox. One time the bee balm was strangely and carelessly cut back. No, I am not asserting a crime of any kind. Bee balm is more of an attractive weed, keeping the bees happy and always buzzing around.
This summer the bee balm was quite eager to bloom. I suggested to Jimmy, "Let's cover the mailbox area with sturdy cardboard and piles sacks of fetid wood mulch to shut out all sunlight. The combination of cardboard first and wood mulch on top can turn a weedy area into a pleasant area or some raking to start a new soft-soil patch of flowers not so busy with the bees.
The mailman liked the weed-free area under the mailbox, warmed up to the new look, and appreciated the absence of leisurely bees.
Today was special. Charlie Sue ran quickly to THE PARK! That is the grassy field at the end of the cul de sac, where she can run large circles trying to flush out some animals. I got there second and the mailman was pulling to a stop to handle mail. He told me, "I saw your dog way up the field and now she is already here, grinning."
He was smiling and shaking his head. I said, "I know - she is a ghost." He waved goodbye as he headed back to civilization - 11 houses behind him.
