Neighbors

For thirty years I lived on Teakwood.  Neighbors had a phone book, phoned each other, talked to each other, had street parties.    Remember "progressive parties"?  We had them every Christmas...and then even blocked off the street and had a street picnic in the summer.  We had a community parade for the fourth.

I was NOT prepared for the atmosphere of this neighborhood.  The friends of my children are great, that is not the problem, never has been.  It is the lady next door.  She has been a thorn in my side from the day I moved in.

I could write a book covering the unpleasantries that have been shouted from her side of the drive to mine.  I have moved my patio from the back yard, right off her drive, to my front yard, to avoid ever seeing her come and go.  I once had my adult daughter address her, in person and with a letter, asking her not to move wood on my property, or to trespass, or I would bring a lawyer  into our relationship.  She has insisted on telling me what I should do with my property, with my plants, how I should live, when I do not wish  for her advice.


Since Thom has been trimming and working on the lawn, and it now looks marvelous, I would think she would have nothing but compliments.  Nothing of the kind.
I heard her step out of the car and utter, "That damn dog is out again!"

I never leave the dog out by himself, just for the time he has to "go" and then let him in.  She did not have to say anything.  She is compelled to make those negative remarks, no matter what.  If she was talking about the brown Schnauzer, left to run free I would have to agree, no one likes him running free,  biting and barking chasing us while he does his business in our yards.

I always say positives whenever I see her.
"What a darling dog you have!"
"Hello!  Beautiful weather!"
I should say just the opposite, "Your eaves and the siding up there is falling down.  I wish you would repair it.  It's been damaged since that wind last week, and you haven't even  got anyone to look at it yet!"
"I guess you liked my pond so much you had to copy me, but that puny teacup with the tiny squirt supposed to be a fountain looks ridiculous.  "

"Why do you have those crazy cement rabbits on my side of the house?  You can't see them, only I can...and that goose with the cowboy outfit?  don't think I like it.  Tacky, Quacky, Tacky!!!!!"

"Too bad you don't have anyone to shape those overgrown bushes in front of your house.  And I don't think your grown sons enjoy mowing the lawn, since they wait until it is so tall until they mow, or is that just when you are out of town?"

I vent...It really makes no difference to me what my neighbor does.  Only when they throw negatives toward me or my family.  When you live so close to others, would it not mean you "just want to get along?"  Some neighbors, that don't want to get along, should consider living in the great outdoors, where there are huge spaces between houses,  privacy fences, and bushes and trees separating them from neighboring houses.  They are not ready to live where driveways are twenty feet close and have to address their neighbors on a daily basis coming and going.


I want to know that Wes's friend Jake lives across the street. They get on the school bus together, and often we carpool to basketball, baseball, and football practices or games.  Sandy and Jody are friendly neighbors, and I could not want for better.  Christy and Kevin down the street are great friends, and I can call whenever.  They call me when I leave the garage open in the evening.   Other neighbors live close, and are friendly.  Mr. Mike is always working on his gorgeous yard, and warmly greets me everytime.
One grump in this area does not ruin the neighborhood!
Just wish a friend lived next door.