For the record, we are a law-abiding family. In fact, the last household member to stand before a judge was my 83-year old mother-in-law. She got busted for speeding.
Here’s the story. A few weeks back Techno Spouse and I decided to invest a big chunk of our daughter’s college fund to spruce up the backyard. We had a concrete patio poured (a stamped concrete patio), and extensive flora and fauna strategically scattered about.
While all this beautification was certainly an event for us – we assumed it was a non-event for the neighbors, especially the neighbors-to-be. We were wrong.
About a week after the patio was poured a stranger knocked on our front door. Techno Spouse and I were at work and my mother-in-law was busy speeding about town. That left sleep-till-noon teenager to answer the door. When she did so, an agitated man mumbling something about concrete greeted her. She gave him her dad’s cell number and went back to bed.
Techno Spouse then got a voice mail accusing him of authorizing dumping on this guy’s lot. Huh?
Being an all round responsible citizen, Techno Spouse called the concrete contractor and relayed the offense. The concrete guy fessed up – he had dumped a wheelbarrow full of concrete in the empty lot. Concrete guy agreed to clean it up. Techno Spouse left irate neighbor-to-be a message and thought it was a mildly amusing, slightly annoying done deal.
That brings us to yesterday. Two squad cars arrived at our home bright and early to investigate a complaint. This time Grandma answered the door. She proceeded to charm the “young men” with her sweet little grandma routine and told them to call her son.
Techno Spouse got another call at work - this time from the police. Apparently, our neighbor-to-be had ACTUALLY CALLED THE POLICE to report a wheelbarrow full of concrete had been dumped on his empty lot. Are you kidding???
Rest assured – the case is solved. The offending concrete has been removed. What can I say -- we are left shaking our heads. Welcome to the neighborhood buddy.
For the record, if my Dad were alive and something this ridiculous happened – he’d be plotting his revenge. If my Mom were alive – her plan would’ve been – kill him with kindness. What do you think?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Day Starts with Cops at Front Door
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6 comments:
Good story, kindness wins !
cindy
Tsk tsk to the contractor! (they do what they can when no one is watching). I say a line up of brightly colored whirley-gigs will surely annoy the new neighbors when they move in. Ah, but before that, betcha catch THEIR contractors doing something in someone else's yard! Get the camera ready. A well told tale.
--- Joan
Likely, this was listed by the police as a "civil dispute." In my experience, you'll be farther ahead to just leave this in the dust (concrete or otherwise, sorry --) and be barely cordial to these new folks. Don't give them any (more) ammunition with which they can cause (more)trouble for you because given the chance, my bet is they WILL - and I'm not joking. Sadly, in this day and age, it's far better to be too suspicious and careful than not; assume nothing, ever!!
I'm with your dad.
I'd mix a bit of concrete with poop and leave it in random spots around their yard. And then I'd call the police and complain about the odor. And then I'd write another "poop" column.
--another anonymous
I'm glad they will be your neighbors and not mine. They will probably call the police if you accidently mow one inch onto their yard when they move in.
Sue
This neighbor will be the first to complain that the police didn't arrive quickly enough when he has a real emergency because they are busy with some idiot who had a problem in his yard.
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