My neighbor, Diane, is a kindly sort, though she doesn't really hide what she's thinking. About a year ago, when we both happened to be outside, I suddenly felt the need to make an excuse for the sorry state of my landscaping. I made some lame attempt at a humourous aside about how I hate doing yard work. My neighbor must have viewed this an invitation to give her opinion, and she said, "you know, Ronnie would be turning over in her grave if she saw her old yard like it is now. It was her pride and joy." This followed up by a side to side nodding of the head: tsk, tsk.
Uh...tell me what you REALLY think about my gardening abilities, will ya? I can see her going back in to have a chit-chat with her husband Don: "That Dan, he's a nice guy, but when is he going to cut that stupid Maple tree that's been growing out of his barberry bush for THREE years? The place just looks AWFUL. I still like him better than Ronnie, but I sure wish the man would learn how to use some shears."
I look at it this way: I gave her something to bitch about.
After today, though, Diane's got nothing to say, and Ronnie can stop her turning, thanks to my good friend Alison. Today was a workday, and Ali came over and worked some magic with me, cleaning up, ripping up more than half of the crap that was stuffed into a tiny garden spot. It had overwhelmed me, and Alison volunteered to blaze a trail with me. We made a day of it, the kids came over and played with the other neighbor's kid, while her mom sort of became a babysitter. (I suppose she was hoping for a miracle transformation too. Watching over the Bean was the least she could do. She took one for the team, and probably got on the neighborhood phone tree, sending out the good news that some work was actually being done in my backyard.) Alison and I worked hard, gabbed quite a bit, and laughed a bunch too, especially when I sat my ass down on a pricker bush, and made some comparisons to Shelob. At the end of the day, Diane came over and was VERY impressed. I think we even guilted her into doing a little bit of work on her place. Who's place is looking good, NOW, sister?
Thanks Alison...you're the best!
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2 comments:
You're welcome, Helob.
I was trying to repeat what you said to Paul and began to giggle. You will have to tell him.
I have to say the children were invited over by the neighbor.
Charlotta said your kids were great, Alison. She said it's actually easier for her with her own kiddo when others are around. I know she's glad I did some work on the backyard though!
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