Fences Make Good ?Neighbors?

For years the house next door has held a series of “not there for long” renters. Then about three and a half years ago the house sold, and stood empty for several months. All this time the beautiful rhodies in the front yard, the lawn, and varied shrubs have turned from brown to black and withered away in a flurry of dead dandelions. That’s right, even the weeds are black.

It was about this time that the son and is offspring moved in. A seemingly nice, unemployed, guy who can do everything while getting nothing done, don’t get me wrong I like this guy well enough. Since the house sold we’ve heard a retired couple were going to move in as soon as they sold their house in Hawaii. Now I love my rainy, cold, windy stretch of Oregon, there is no place prettier or better to live and raise family. But they live in Hawaii. Oregon/Hawaii. Not that I want to go live there, but most people do. About two months ago, guy next door said his folks were moving in. I jokingly ask, “They really do exist?”

Three weeks ago, guy next door said he’d be trimming back the Butterfly Bush and Climbing Rose that is growing through the cyclone fence onto their side. I’ve been offering to do this for years, that way I could control the destruction. Walking into their back yard, guy next door described what he wanted to do and I told him, “Do what you need.” I would live to regret those words.

Tuesday night I came home to this.

I guess playing nice with the neighbors or courtesy are not his high points. I suppose I should post pictures of their dead front yard that actually looks worse than their river rock graveled back yard.