Weekend paradoxies

This weekend was very interesting.

Friday night was an amazing step in my personal journey. My bride and I went to see Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman in Cincinnati. These two men have accomplished so much professionally and yet the success they have is nothing in comparison to the rewards they will receive later. I witnessed in the audience a transformation of faith and spirit. These amazing voices showed such vulnerability and humility. It is an experience I will never forget; great guys, inspirational message.

Now Saturday was a tad less memorable. I recruited my boys for a bit a fall cleanup in the yard.

As my youngest and I were putting leafs into the wheel barrel, my neighbor behind our property came charging the fence. Her body language showed that this was not going to be a conversation filled with pleasantries.

She asked what were my intentions with the pile of leafs on the curb at the side of my property .

I said, I saw a sign at the end of the development announcing that Mason (our quasi town) had scheduled a debris pick up this week.

Here's the weird part: I have a Mason address, my kids attend Mason schools, however, due to annexation some years past, the majority of our lot is in Deerfield Township. Four feet on the back of our lot is in Mason. Although we do not pay the small income tax to Mason; we do pay our taxes to Warren County which pays Mason. Silly huh?

Look at the map of Deerfield Township and our property sits on a island surrounded by Mason. It's ridiculous, I have been fighting this situation since we arrived.

Getting back to the story:

Please understand that our properties are no less that a 1/2 acre which is more than enough room for all to live comfortably.

With Mason trucks picking up debris this week; I thought, as any rational person would: cool I put them out on the Mason side of the property. She didn't see it that way and informed me (in her condescending tone) that I was wrong on all counts. She professed: "You don't live in Mason!" Then she added: "Leaving your yard trimmings and leafs at the end of your driveway is really tacky Ron!". With her proclamation delivered: she just stormed away.

TACKY????

I guess she put me in my place. It must have been hard for her to have to:

1. Leave her castle in Mason.

2. To have to actually converse with someone from Deerfield Township. Considering my home cost less than hers! Not true! Look it up!

First of all: I was not about to get into a confrontation with her with my 9 year old right next to me. Add to that, I have so much history with this couple that having it out now was neither appropriate or very decent of me. Be the bigger person Right?

Well, enough is enough - as they say.

For 25 years since I purchased my first home, NEVER, have I had a bad relationship with a any neighbor. In fact, I would argue that we have an excellent history as neighbors. This couple, I believe, have a bazaar understanding of community living. Compromise and understanding are the keys to successful social habitation. They seem to think, or believe, that they have a right to protest and complain about every thing with in ear-shot or assisted by high powered binoculars.

I have done everything I can to accommodate their lifestyle needs.

1. Our dog would get out of the yard: I reinforced the fencing.

2. Forth of July fireworks made them uncomfortable: I moved our display to a neighbors.

3. Our dogs waste was causing them discomfort: I move the refuge spot and now I bag.

4. Our music was too loud on a Halloween Saturday night party: they called the police...the officer said that he sat outside for sometime and heard very little. He went on to ask "which neighbor did you not invite". A few days later; we went over to their home to ask why would the call the police on our party? She said the noise woke up the baby and then the baby would not go back to sleep! REALLY! Babies don't sleep when you want them to? Fascinating! Call the Pediatrician, alert the researchers.

AND NOW THIS - LEAFS...SERIOUSLY! Numerous neighbors say I should blow the leafs and dog poop towards the end of MY property and leave (get-it) it there.

Yesterday, I borrowed a friends truck and we hauled the debris away.

I know, I caved. Once again the peace maker...STUPID!!!

So, I have decided not to let this continue. I will write about it; get it out of my system and the next time I see either of them approach my fence say with conviction: GET OFF OF MY PROPERTY AND PEACE BE WITH YOU!