Saturday 16 June 2018

Neighbour pressure

Having read the comments on my post yesterday I feel I have to write and disagree with what most of you said.

First of all a friend, who reads my blog sometimes, sent me an e mail to say she is coming in the morning to cut my lawn for me.   She is not a young lady, she has an electric mower and I am quite overcome by the fact that she has offered to do this for me.   The kindness of friends and neighbours never ceases to amaze me.

Now to those who feel that neighbourhood pressure should be ignored and that one should 'do one's own thing'.   I am sorry but I disagree.   Almost everyone on this estate keeps their house and garden in an attractive state.   It is a pretty estate where the houses and bungalows are planned in such a way that it is rather like a village - areas for children to play, areas of grass regularly cut by the council, trees planted in strategic places, everywhere neat and tidy and almost all gardens neat, tidy and colourful.   It is a pleasure to walk/drive around.   Why should I take it upon myself to be the exception, to make my garden an eyesore which spoils the look of the place?   My back garden had not been done and was a mess but at least it could only be seen by the occupants of my bungalow.   My front garden (all lawn) is seen by everyone who walks or drives past.   Luckily - because I enjoy seeing people - there are always folk about and they stop and chat and our dogs
 'chat' too.   So yes, I don't on the whole agree with those of you who say it doesn't matter.   To me it does matter in this instance to conform to the standard that has been set.   But thanks for making your presence felt in your comments.   That is what I love so much about blogging.

See you later in the day now that I have got this off my chest!

25 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

Well I only said it because it was to be temporary and thought I was relieving your immediate pressure.

Meanqueen said...

I live on a mixed bag street of different front gardens, some tidy and some not so tidy. My garden is on a par with my immediate neighbour, both of us have weeds coming up through the driveway. We do what's needed to keep things a bit respectable looking, there are worse than ours. I'm glad I don't live next to someone who keeps their garden pristine.

crafty cat corner said...

Although I can see where people are going with the idea of not letting the neighbours bother you, I agree with you that you should keep the front of the house tidy.
I have lived on my Road since 1965 and at one time everyone used come out and sweep the front paths and the pavement directly in front. door knockers were kept shiny and bins out of sight. Sadly the place is a mess now, horrible plastic bins outside every house and nobody bothers to sweep or wash the paths.
This morning I heard that calling the pudding 'Spotted Dick' was unacceptable. I think I've heard it all now.
Briony
x

Tom Stephenson said...

Joanne Noragon lives in a neighbourhood which fines people a hefty sum for not keeping their gardens looking nice.

Ivy said...

I like our garden to be neat myself, don't keep ik that way for my neighbours, but I understand what you mean. Though I suppose that if they knew you were temporarily without a gardener they would not blame you for having a 'wild' garden.

Heather said...

I understand how you feel and my comment was a bit tongue in cheek. I too worried about letting the side down if my garden didn't look tidy.

Sue in Suffolk said...

Missed your post about grass cutting but glad you have a friend to sort it out until your gardener is back on his feet.

liparifam said...

Agree, Weave. My backyard isn't always in the best shape, but I keep my little front yard immaculate. I care for the small lawn myself - I use a simple reel mover on the grass, then use the weed eater, and then the edger along the front walk. I even manicure the street verge all along the front of my house! Unfortunately, I am the ONLY one on my street who keeps their yard really nice. I live in an inner city neighborhood, so there are really no streets where ALL the yards are consistently nice. Big change for me as before I moved here I always lived in nice suburban neighborhoods where all the yards were fully landscaped and well-kept. And yes, it's a pleasure to walk or drive down the street to your own home in those kinds of neighborhoods... Oh, well - at least I do get lots of compliments on my little yard!

Living Alone in Your 60's said...

I've just caught up with your blog after a very busy week. I am fastidious about my garden and I suspect you enjoy your garden being neat and tidy. I would put a polite note through a couple of neighbours doors asking for recommendations for a temporary gardener as your current gardener is out of action.

Sandi said...

I smiled when I saw someone came to help you. It feels good in the heart, doesn't it? :)

donna baker said...

So glad someone stepped up to help. I have three mowers that edge, blow and mow and pick up limbs once a week. Another yard maintenance young man, puts down granules and other stuff to keep out the weeds and fertilize so my yard looks beautiful. I'd probably have a heart attack if I tried to do it myself. So, it is well worth the money spent. My neighbors, on the other hand, have foot tall dandelions growing in theirs. They hire a weed wack guy maybe once a month. I would call the city and complain, but I've always taught my kids you have to get along with your neighbors. I'm tempted to toss some jack balls over the fence, but won't.

Shawn said...

Here in blogland people often respond with what they think the blogger wants to hear, hence the advice to ignore your neighbours. The tricky bit, of course, is discerning what exactly the other person wants to hear. You obviously enjoy and respect the standards of the estate, which is why you were concerned about maintaining them. I'm glad your mowing needs were so fortuitously solved by your kind friend. Happy Summer!

Rachel Phillips said...

Oh you think so do you Shawn. I think.you will fund we are little bit more discerning here than you give us credit for.

jinxxxygirl said...

I did not comment on yesterdays post Pat..... We live out in the country... We mow our lawn once a month and i don't care what anyone else thinks about it.. I'm not about to spend every summer weekend mowing my lawn.. But .. that said ..now if i lived in town thats exactly what i would be doing.. So i can understand you wanting it mowed to blend in with your neighbors and keeping to Estates standards..

I'm so glad to hear someone was able to help you.. Too bad theres not a neighborhood kid looking to make a little money that could keep your yard mowed.. Maybe ask around when you meet people out on your walks with Tess?? Big Hugs!! deb

Joanne Noragon said...

What an absolutely superior neighborhood that includes neighbors who volunteer. Now I wonder if humans created the humanity, or humanity the neighbors (humans). Answers on a postcard, as John says.

Gail, northern California said...

Were it not for your age and physical limitations, you would no doubt do all of it yourself and enjoy every minute. I applaud your efforts, Weave, to do your part in keeping standards high. It's called pride and self-respect. Thank you. I would love to have you as a neighbor.

Derek Faulkner said...

Shawn's opening line is very true in many cases. If you look at many blogs, the people that comment back tend to be always agreeing wholeheartedly with what the blogger has said, i.e. what they want to hear. The Weaver however, and all credit to her, does accept alternative views rather than rejecting them, otherwise a response becomes less than stimulating.

Bea said...

How lovely that a neighbor offered to come and cut your lawn!

jinxxxygirl said...

I agree Derek... It all gets rather boring when everyone agrees or is afraid to disagree... If you disagree your comment gets deleted or worse people attack you... Sometimes it feels like you have to walk on eggshells... To me a difference of opinion means a good conversation.. Thank you Pat for being you! Hugs! deb

The Weaver of Grass said...

I must first of all point out that it is not a neighbour who is coming to cut the lawn. It is a friend, not all that much younger than me, who lives about ten miles away. That is why I am so overwhelmed by her kindness.
It is interesting to hear all your views. As to what Shawn says - I think Rachel is probably right - certainly the folk I blog with I think (well certainly hope) say what they mean. Most of them are old friends - we have blogged for years - and I really expect them to air their views. I am genuinely interested in their point of view.
Interestingly -I walked down the road with Tess this morning and contrary to what I thought there are one or two other lawns which are a bit ragged - elderly folk live in the bungalows concerned and us oldies don't always feel like getting out and doing the odd bit in the garden.
Lovely heavy rain for about a quarter of an hour today - did a power of good in the garden. Now sharp breeze and warm sun which will be drying the grass nicely.
Thanks everyone for joining in - such fun.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

The self-mower runs on electric. I thought it would be neat to have someday, if I can chase after any varmit trying to carry it off.
Glad your neighbor is helping you.

Granny Sue said...

What a good friend, Pat. We had a similar dilemma last month, after my husband's knee surgery. While no one can see our lawn from their homes or the road, I could see it and it was hard to see it get overgrown. I did what I could with my little batter stringtrimmer to keep at least the small patches near the house trimmed, and I edged a lot of other places but there was no way I could mow the 2 acres that my husband does with a riding mower. Thank goodness for good friends and our granddaughter who kept things in good shape until he was able again.

thelma said...

Glad that is all settled, happiness is friends helping out. As for our lawn, it always looks neat because Paul strims and mows with great care. My roses (untidy creatures) tumble their petals and cause obstacles of course ;)

Doc said...

Sorry to say I had not read your earlier post, I must agree with you here. I live in a beautiful older neighborhood, everyone here takes pride in their gardens and are always spot on when someone is in need of help. It all comes down to knowing your neighbors, just bit of friendliness.

Librarian said...

I still think your garden would NOT look a mess if the front lawn was allowed to grow a little. Flowers and grass are not messy (plus they are ecologically important ) - strewn about plastic bags and other rubbish are messy, and your garden would NEVER look like that.