Thats too bad you have a neighbor like that. It sucks enough getting thru life without some jerk right beside you.
I once asked my father, (jokingly) - When God was handing out relatives, did we take too long getting ready for that event? Or were we stuck in traffic all day??? Because it sure feels like we got all the ones which nobody else wanted... Now I'm thinking something similar on those lines when it comes to neighbors. Seriously, don't any of you guys feel the same? Like, why do we always get the worst ones? What wrong dId we ever do to deserve this? Yes I've heard stories of great neighbors and communities which are extremely close and unconditionally supportive... However as I grow older, such stories are now sounding more and more like a fairy tale, with total detachment from reality.
Well we all have neighbors and friends. Everyone in the universe has some type of mental disorder. Not illness but disorders. Some are substantially recognized while others have learned to shadow a bit under those dark shades which are often ignored. I am an extremely strong hyper active gardener who also defies anyone who touches my collection of trees, abuses any plant or fanatically batters plants just to dominate their territory. I work for organizations such as the salvation tree seedlings of america and battered plants. It’s plant abuse pure and simple. Battered plants is an overall syndrome we have seen thru recent studies by the american horticultural society ,AHS. Some battered plants include tiny perennial seedlings. Which I think includes a short fuse. Which is as so many of you know is completely justified. Battered plant syndrome is not just dropping a pot of zinnias upside down over the neighbors fence, or weed whacking a gardenia. I’m talking about mental and physical abuse. For instance hanging plants from the ceiling, or withholding water and food. No wonder ivy clings for their lives up a tree or a wall. So when you get home tonite never put a plant in a bad room or keep it in solitary confinement deprived of air and light . Remember to supply all the amenities. Like a nice chair to sprawl out on or a comfortable seat for ample space to soak up some rays with a slight breeze along with music for relaxation. A plant spa is recommended of course, a place where plants can exchange energy, water and nutrients. A slight sense of plant humor written by yours truly.
Me? I've a bunch of bad neighbors. The first house I ever bought was a new build. I had picked out the lot, which had a lake view and waited almost a year for the house, a 3 bed, one bath with a familyroom, laundry room, built on shed and patio to be built. Cost 35 grand back then. After moving in, my neighbor kept giving me dirty looks. I waved and said hello, expecting a pleasant reply and got an evil stare. I found out later that they had believed that they owned my lot !! Their dog liked me so they chained it on the other side of the house so it couldn come see me !! I sold it for double the price 5 years later.
Doesn't it, though ? I even told my buyers that they weren't the friendly type but the rest of my neighbors were all nice, so that made up for it. They bought the house anyway.
Only way to control your annoying neighbors, is to send them a legal notice from your lawyer's office, (by registered post). My neighbors haven't made eye contact with me since - Which I appreciate, as I haven't heard a squeak out of them afterwards... It's the best and only way to handle such idiots, who think they are entitled or something... Otherwise, if you just try to talk politely and give a little respect, (thereby expecting some in return) - They start having delusions of grandeur! Like they assume that just because you are taking to them respectfully, you must be inferior to them. So the more respect you give, the more condescending they become. And if you scream at them like Gunnery Sargent Lee Ermey in the movie Full Metal Jacket, to get your point across - Their women are actually very well trained drama queens, who turn on the facial waterworks at the drop of a hat! With the soul aim to make you look bad in front of everyone - So never fall into this trap, as this is what they secretly want you to do... However a lawyer's notice is like sending a powerful message from a distance, that you mean business. As well as a total refusal to submit. The only way out of which for them is to now either just shut-up and crawl back into your corner, (which is what they did). Or send a reply to me from their own lawyer, (which such people will never have the guts to do, as lawyer also aren't free). So sending a lawyer's notice is like launching a laser guided missile at them. That hits them where it hurts the most. Only after which do they start behaving. As it completely short circuits their entire lifetime of training to manipulate others. They really have no answer for this. So they retreat with their tails between their legs. And pretend that you don't matter - Well, as long as I don't get to see them in my face all the time, I'm fine with that. Seriously, make yourself totally unapproachable to such people. Whatever anyone tries or says, you simply say: Talk to me through my lawyers. After which you slam the door on their face... And within minutes you'll see such annoying neighbors evaporate away in front of your eyes, (never to bother you again). Another advice, if they (like cowards) call you on the phone instead of facing you directly. Or make other neighbors talk to you on their behalf. You just say that you're recording this call for legal purposes. And once again, all their hopes and desires to sweet talk you into submission, sink like the Titanic!
thank you …makes me so happy someone actually read that plant humor piece. I think everyone is so busy prepping for spring planting that they are to busy to pop in the garden site. I miss ya all. Hope to see ya soon and you know who you are…
Actually what got me to notice was the first two lines of the post. I thought " Did my neighbor post this?" The nerve to broadcast my "condition" on the internet. But seriosly Pan, I salute your work with your organizations. Sometimes trees, plants, etc. have nowhere to turn. Everyone who cares about gardening should read your post to raise awareness.
Around here we have City after City and, private persons as well, committing "Crepe Murder" every fall. No, they don't kill the tree in the sense of direct murder. What they do is this: They think this makes for more blooms. Naht !! It makes them sucker and eventually they look like a fat, old fashioned, upsidedown shaving brush. !! I keep telling folks not to do it, but these Southerners are VERY set in their ways with Crepe Myrtle pruning .
I always wanted to plant a crepe myrtle. Really nice tree. But my neighbor gave me a couple red maples I planted in the spots instead that I may just see outgrow me in 20 years, If I shrink
I have planted a small collection of trees in my garden .Crape myrtles are great little trees. I planted a couple of small hybrid trees that don’t get huge. Langerstromia. Hardy in my zone 8b. Last seasons pics. I trim them back occasionally bc blooms form on new growth.
They're gorgeous !! Yes, the new blooms are on new shoots but you aren't supposed to cut back to wood that has no green on it. 1/3 back is just right. Too far back and they'll sucker like crazy because there's not enough left for photosynthesis.
