Think we've alienated our neighbors
phylrae
14 years ago
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jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoTerry Crawford
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
What would the Neighbors think?
Comments (24)I suspect my neighbors think I'm a bit nuts, but I hope in a good way. I live surrounded by other houses in a "beach cottage community" that was built in the sixties a block from the ocean in southern california. We each have our own houses, but they are basically condos and built very close to each other and there is a lot of "communial" land. I have neighbors peering at me from every which way, but I'm over it now and thankful to have even the little bit of personal land that I have to garden in and have been enjoying turning the outside of our home into a "cottage garden", with lots of roses. The neighbors see me outside all the time, usually I'm standing staring at the garden. I often stand staring at it for long spells of time imagining what I should do here or there just day dreaming. If I'm not staring, I'm usually digging, planting or watering. Often, I sing and talk to my plants, but I always wave hi if a neighbor is walking by. Today, I was caught singing to Jude the Obscure, who has just produced his first lovely blossom.. "Laaaaa, Laaaa, Laaaa, La la la la.. la la la la... hey Jude!", I swear, true story. So I'm sure the neighbors think I'm quite nutty. We moved in a year ago, and have completely transformed our yard, which was mostly iceplant and "decorative" stones. (ick, ick, ick). We have new neighbors a few houses away that have spent the past few weekends putting in roses and lavendar, and we've become gardening buddies. Another neighbor came by and introduced herself.. she told us she was told she "had to meet the other garden people". We toured each others gardens and oooohhhhed and ahhhhhed. So we are finding kindred spirits. I have been spending a lot of time on the front the past few weeks, but the biggest transformation is on the side of the house where I have my main garden, a 10 X 20 foot patch of land next to my deck. One family walks by this every day on the path to get to their house. It used to be iceplant and a single neglected red rose bush. I stripped it out this year (except for the rose of course) and planted 10 rose bushes and tons of companion plants. It's all in bloom now, and they tell me every time they see me how much they love it and appreciate the beauty that I have brought. I was sitting on my deck, hidden from view, when they walked by with friends last week. They were talking as they walked along and suddenly their friends stopped at the garden and said "Oh, isn't that lovely", and they said "yes, Isn't it incredible? We're so lucky", and then they continued walking. My heart could have burst....See MoreI think the neighbor sprayed herbicide on Meyer Lemon tree
Comments (14)A few years ago my neighbor's mother-in-law sprayed my Meyer with the poison ivy killer. Killed all my muscadines. I had not let my muscadines fruit for 5 years. That year was the first time and they were loaded with clusters. I caught her spraying and the overflow got my muscadines and Meyer. My Meyer recouped. Before spray it would flush twice a year. After spray it is ever bearing. I thought I was going to lose it. Meyer was at least 10 years old at that time. All fruit aborted that year, and little fruit since until this year. It appears back to normal. This was about 3 years ago....See MoreFeeling like we've made a big, big mistake with our build...
Comments (46)First of all, you will get used to the noise. I'd visit Mom in FL whose house was a half mile away from the train tracks and the first day, I'd hear every train, but after that, hardly ever. Second, I think you need to get to know your neighbors...sounds like they are friendly types which is a good thing. I grew up in the country surrounded by lots and lots of land and few children because there were few houses. When I married and moved to an acre lot, it was terrible for awhile....all the traffic, the kids, the dogs, the mowers... Then I got to know my neighbors. And trust me, the chain saw isn't so loud when it's good neighbor Tim doing the sawing and you don't mind asking John if he could not mow on Saturday as you're planning on a memorial service for your Dad with lots of people coming.... And neighbors can be a great help, like when your snow blower breaks or when you need someone to feed the cat. I know our neighbor was glad for us when the house next to her's caught fire and the firemen wouldn't let her go home that night, so she spent the night with us. Every lifestyle has it's plusses and minuses. Change your perspective, seek the good, and then see where you're at. You may be surprised. BTW, we are now back home on 11 acres, but the area is so much more built up than when I was a kid. Even on our 11 acres though, I know when Bill is sawing or Jimmy is running his back hoe or when Norma is out mowing, or when Jessica's kids are playing with their dog. It's comforting....See MoreVery funny ! Things we've heard during our kitchen remodels....
Comments (59)OK, here's a possibility. Go to the local sign or photocopy shop and have them print, in big, bold, plain(for stupids) writing, "There is a hidden surveillance camera" or omit the surv part if you live in an area with real, real stupids, "which is recording every move(ment)"!!!!OMG, my stomach really hurts. "So, if you belong here, stay and do your duty"(!!!!ha, nah, don't say doody, unless you think it clearly applies to your locale. "Joggers, go at home or go ahead 1/4 mile, but not here"(I'm a mom of a marathoner, but a considerate marathoner) or, "If you can't hold it, go home! This ain't your home!" Plaster these signs INSIDE and outside the porta.. OOOOH, I have a great idea. Instead of 'violaters will be prosecuted... something like, violaters will be given a free, disposable, mop, plastic gloves, strong trash bags and YOU will be responsible for cleaning up your mess. Who defines what is a 'mess'? Your co-workers. If they don't think it's a mess, then they can help you clean it up. If the consensus agrees that it IS a mess, then the consensus (colleagues) can video your clean up activities!!!!This is so much fun! Pecanpie, I spit out my champagne(cheap 9.5% low carb) while reading your post! It was downhill from there......Breathing is difficult. This is a 'save for posterity'(don't go there) thread. Time capsule worthy. Love it Bev I will breathe normally soon. Ok, I can't resist. We have a beach cottage where, (I wish I had written this line...no, I'm not a snob, but) the handymen have more tattoos(sp) than teeth....See MoreUser
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoallison64
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agojim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agojim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agophylrae
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14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoholleygarden Zone 8, East Texas
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14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoallison64
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14 years agolast modified: 9 years agojmac_2008
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agojim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agokarl_bapst_rosenut
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agojaxondel
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14 years agolast modified: 9 years agozack_lau z6 CT ARS Consulting Rosarian
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14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoceleste/NH
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agojim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agophylrae
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoTerry Crawford
14 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
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