Elderly woman's yard center of complaint

HOUSTON --

Ada Palmer said a sign from the city of Houston appeared in her front yard on Thursday, only to disappear days later. It required her to "cut high grass and weeds" on her property by October 25, or face a fine.

"The main feeling I had is like I was attacked," said Palmer.

The grandmother, who has spent her life running her own lawn service, takes pride in her knowledge of plants and flowers.

"I don't think it's ugly," said Palmer. "Right now, it looks like a weed because it goes to seed in the fall."

The city defines a weed as "a rank and uncultivated growth .. more than 9 inches in height .. or which, regardless of height, is liable to become unwholesome."

Palmer's neighbors don't seem to have any problem with her yard.

"I think it's a natural landscape design, nothing that's uncommon," said neighbor Giovanni Delacruz.

"It's wonderful from my window. It looks nice. I enjoy it," said neighbor Rajesh Garee.

Palmer said she's willing to mow a little for the sake of compromise, but she sure hopes it won't come to that.

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Elderly woman's yard center of complaint