Neighbours

Neighbourhoods are often social communities with considerable face-to-face interaction between members. This face time may not always be cordial. We all have stories to tell about the next-door shenanigans.

Some neighbours are the salt of the earth. They are always willing to lend a hand or just shoot the breeze. Clearing the sidewalk from snow and ice might be something they help with. The casual chat over the fence like Tim and Wilson in

Tool Time comes to mind. Invitations to an open house in December or a summer barbeque are traded.

Whoa!! Do we all have stories to tell and remember? There was that fellow who was often brought home by the police or seen weaving down the street. On occasion he was belligerent.

A rose between two thorns requires diplomacy and tact. On the one side there is a family with two teenagers. The parents are often away during summer and its party time for the kids and their friends. All kinds of new words float around that are not in the dictionary. Talk is so loud one can hear the goings on. One episode involved the police and missing cannabis. There are several folks renting the basement so the comings and goings are confusing. At two in the morning their neighbours get a chance to call the police who likely know the address quite well.

The other next-door house has been under eternal renovation by different owners. There are lots of old appliances and building materials lying around and the garden is something to get lost in. The current owners appear to be very nice folks.   When they finally move in the mess should go and we look forward to a Tim/Wilson scenario.

Those hoarders fill available space with stuff that should be tossed out. Their garage is full of it and it spills over into the backyard. Generally there is no communication with them.

We have all heard about folks that have a litter full of cats and not a mouse to be seen. A household of “Jellical” felines from a “Mungojerrie” to a “Jennyanydot they form a cast of obligate carnivores. Generally one is unaware of this clowder or glaring of cats until it is reported in a paper or the animal cops arrive.

The fence is a common cause of neighbourhood disputes. It could be a hedge that causes offence or a wooden structure that has seen its days. Who will pony up and pay for the repairs? This may require some serious negotiating especially if one party benefits more than the other. The lack of a fence can also cause disputes. The pit bull next door could chomp on Suzie the miniature poodle or leave unwelcome deposits on the front lawn.

Water damage between neighbours can cause an “arc”haic relationship where they smack each other with two-by-two’s

There are the bell ringers. Kids who love to ring the front door bell and dash away leaving the irritated occupants vacant.

Apartments have their own unique stories. Thin walls can tell a tale. On weekend mornings the opera played from next-door. Something to do with old Gilbert andSullivan???

The magistrate next-door seemed to be working on his roof every time you went swimming.

Have fun recollecting your neighbour tales. Always good to fill the dinner conversation.