Alright you win. Not that thing with your spouse (I like “brouhaha”). I mean you take first place in weird neighbor chronicles. The only possible enhancement would involve a Walter White meth lab, which I don’t recommend since that would subject you a claim of copyright infringement. But know an executive at Netflix who might be interested in a series. Just saying.
The more you know, right? I almost mentioned in the essay that these were all just immediate neighbors - upstairs and next door. With our track record, there's no telling what I might find if I went a few doors down!
Very familiar with your first neighbor but how is it possible I never heard of the absolute parade of bad actors who followed in such rapid succession?
sadly, i've missed the past two weeks....i've been derailed and i'm trying to slow my train down a bit and get back on track. I loved this ...and recognize it to be a bit of a 'spur' off of your trains usual route...not in it's hilarity, but rather in it's underlying tone of caution....listen to your 'gut' is what it's telling me. Always a good position! Thanks E.
Listen to your gut, absolutely. Or your wife's gut, as the case may be. As for caution, all I can say is we haven't boarded up the windows yet. Thanks, Kate!
Neighbours! I did so enjoy hearing of all the eccentricities.
They can be the bane of one's life. We've run the gamut too. We could write a book, couldn't we!
We have a small town house in the city which is part of a Body Corporate and the head of the BC, a property owner in the same group, found it necessary to push in though our front door and walk from room to room, looking for the best place for the wifi to be plugged because he said he was responsible for deciding where everyone's should go. I was almost incandescent with rage at his cheek. Since then, The Terrier has soak up my dislike and barks if the man comes now - not nice barking either, but rabid terrier barking.
What I'm finding is that I'm really happy when we're far from the madding crowd. In every way...
The nerve of him! But, I love the thought of rabid terrier barking as a deterrent, or at least as an expression of the outrage. (The dog would absolutely have a key role in the book!)
I do try, though I'm sure it seems less obvious from this piece, to make sure I'm considering how we show up as neighbors, as much or more then we critique from the other direction. All my instincts tend toward introversion, but I know relationship-building must also be cultivated. Thanks, Prue.
I admire your dedication, Elizabeth. We aren't often in the city and so we don't really have to deal with the eccentricities of everyone and I include ourselves in that. I mean how can one not be eccentric with one has The Terrier in the house.
Generally we live on the coast - a small village which is heaven out of season as more than half of the houses are empty and only the nice locals are left. Our son now lives on our farm and his neighbours are the bees knees. Maybe it's just that the city turns folk problematic whereas in the country, most folk operate with old-fashioned values?
I can't help thinking about all the times I've over shared right now. Would the fact that I stopped well short of burglary and such like help my case? :)
All so good! Like I know them!
You'd not be likely to forget them, I feel sure of that! 😅
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I think I hear laughter coming from somewhere below me....
Wow! She was a doozy. And I was feeling vindicated for you!
Thank you. I mean...seriously...woman to woman, thank you. 😇
Alright you win. Not that thing with your spouse (I like “brouhaha”). I mean you take first place in weird neighbor chronicles. The only possible enhancement would involve a Walter White meth lab, which I don’t recommend since that would subject you a claim of copyright infringement. But know an executive at Netflix who might be interested in a series. Just saying.
Based on responses I've had today (some came in privately), I think we could make quick work of a season's worth of content. LOL! Thanks, Rob.
Oh yes. I think we’ve all felt your pain. Seems to be some sort of mandatory rule that there’s at least one in every neighborhood. 😳
The more you know, right? I almost mentioned in the essay that these were all just immediate neighbors - upstairs and next door. With our track record, there's no telling what I might find if I went a few doors down!
Elizabeth,
Very familiar with your first neighbor but how is it possible I never heard of the absolute parade of bad actors who followed in such rapid succession?
As Charlie would say, "It's all part of the rich pageantry of life..." 😁
Reading your writing is always so utterly satisfying. When I see Chicken Scratch in my email, I know my day is made. You never disappoint. 💖
You are very generous in your praise, Barbara. I'm 100% thrilled that you feel you can connect with these essays. Thank you!
sadly, i've missed the past two weeks....i've been derailed and i'm trying to slow my train down a bit and get back on track. I loved this ...and recognize it to be a bit of a 'spur' off of your trains usual route...not in it's hilarity, but rather in it's underlying tone of caution....listen to your 'gut' is what it's telling me. Always a good position! Thanks E.
Listen to your gut, absolutely. Or your wife's gut, as the case may be. As for caution, all I can say is we haven't boarded up the windows yet. Thanks, Kate!
So good and so funny. Quite a cast of characters you shared so vividly! Hope all goes well with “Florida man.” Cause for caution right there.
I'm giving "Florida man" the benefit of the doubt, for now. Ignorance is bliss! :) Thanks for the comment, Cynthia.
Neighbours! I did so enjoy hearing of all the eccentricities.
They can be the bane of one's life. We've run the gamut too. We could write a book, couldn't we!
We have a small town house in the city which is part of a Body Corporate and the head of the BC, a property owner in the same group, found it necessary to push in though our front door and walk from room to room, looking for the best place for the wifi to be plugged because he said he was responsible for deciding where everyone's should go. I was almost incandescent with rage at his cheek. Since then, The Terrier has soak up my dislike and barks if the man comes now - not nice barking either, but rabid terrier barking.
What I'm finding is that I'm really happy when we're far from the madding crowd. In every way...
The nerve of him! But, I love the thought of rabid terrier barking as a deterrent, or at least as an expression of the outrage. (The dog would absolutely have a key role in the book!)
I do try, though I'm sure it seems less obvious from this piece, to make sure I'm considering how we show up as neighbors, as much or more then we critique from the other direction. All my instincts tend toward introversion, but I know relationship-building must also be cultivated. Thanks, Prue.
I admire your dedication, Elizabeth. We aren't often in the city and so we don't really have to deal with the eccentricities of everyone and I include ourselves in that. I mean how can one not be eccentric with one has The Terrier in the house.
Generally we live on the coast - a small village which is heaven out of season as more than half of the houses are empty and only the nice locals are left. Our son now lives on our farm and his neighbours are the bees knees. Maybe it's just that the city turns folk problematic whereas in the country, most folk operate with old-fashioned values?
If only every over-talker would eventually get taken into custody. That would be so satisfying. Could even be made into a series: "Over-talkers: CSI."
Your bucolic "Chicken Scratch" brand yields wonderful stories, rendered with heart and humor. Well done, neighbor.
I can't help thinking about all the times I've over shared right now. Would the fact that I stopped well short of burglary and such like help my case? :)
LOVED this, Elizabeth! 😊
I'm so glad, Rebecca!