Grouchy gripes for the morning: Annoying commercials, medical appointment, e-mails from insurance

[UTUSN]

Last edited Thu Mar 13, 2014, 02:07 PM - Edit history (1)

Well, my Loungeteers, I had gone into detail here, even with the full realization that billions of people and other creatures are faced with *much* graver problems. So I peremptorily Deleted the post without posting it except for the subject.

That said, I'm taking the liberty to go off on a completely different gripe, perhaps something more universal: Neighborly relations or difficulty thereof. If you see "American Gothic," not so much the appearance but the mindset behind the faces, there is my neighbor. He has two trees (only) in his entire two-lots backyard. Both of them are over by my fence and one of them is directly under my electric line and has now reached the height of brushing against my line with one of its branches. These two trees are not of some sort of precious variety, other than what all living things might be claimed to be. They are, in fact, something of a nuisance variety, shedding not only leaves but little berries and are well known to me because I have them, too, and I do the raking.

Back to American Gothic. The neighbor is a religious fundie, of a religion that is notably stingy of soul, that values "communicating with that old Man in the sky" over humanitarianism toward humans. He has barely talked since moving in two years ago, gives out suspicion toward all others, really does the minimum in keeping up his yard, is just a PINCHED soul.

So back when I pointed out how this tree is in a bad place and how it would soon be a hazard to my electric line, and he said the property is his sons who are property-flippers, not his, and apparently this level of non-communication extends to his family, too, with his lack of say-so about anything, not even his asking them anything.

So he was cutting the grass this morning and I gritted my teeth to approach him and pointed out the breaking news that the tree is now a hazard in fact. He hemmed, hawed, evaded, but finally agreed to let me cut the offending branch. I needed to strike while the iron was hot, so forthwith set about bringing the ladder and the rest of the stuff. He was alarmed, then stipulated that I cut further down UP , and then made a call to the sons, then grudgingly supervised me.

So it's done. Oh, and he also asked whether I want the dog he's had a couple of months because it has dug holes and run out the fence such that he keeps it tied all the time. The dog is playful and loving. It laid down for him, and I made a point of telling the old jerk how much the dog loved him. I muttered to myself that that's what makes dogs the bountiful beings they are.

[marzipanni]

1. Do those trees drop little dark purple berries, that grow in clusters? n/t

[UTUSN]

3. Not really in clusters. Little red things the size of a felt tip pen point. They grow on their own,

wherever. Are a raking pain.

[bamademo]

2. If tree branch extends in your yard, you have legal right to cut. I've done it.

[UTUSN]

4. That's the problem. The two trees are totally in his yard. My electric line crosses through

his property, between the two trees and especially through one of them. The power company preaches that neighbors need to negotiate and cooperate with themselves if the growth is not in their easement. Because all neighbors are so reasonable and considerate, cough cough. Well, for now the deed is done, with his very grudging permission.

[orleans]

5. take the dog. he doesn't sound like he is a good guardian for it. n/t

[UTUSN]

6. If I could I would take EVERY dog. It's bad enough seeing the two dogs (one on either side

of the fence, two separate neighbors) who are kept tied/chained all the time, how they just sit there nobly. But I've got my two and often remember my past dogs, can't do it.

[orleans]

7. makes sense--i understand. n/t

[NV Whino]

8. The electric company should be trimming trees growing into power lines

Around here, they freak out if a property owner even calls a tree company. Liability issues and all that. Having the power company do it makes them the bad guy rather than you.

[UTUSN]

9. In my area all utilities stop at the property line. They do outside the line. nt