The area I live in is what most would call “borderline” — it’s safe, but has a definite element of sketchiness. I would characterize my neighbors in much the same way.
For example, when we bought new furniture, Neighbor Tom knew, even though we didn’t tell him. He asked us if our paver patio was put in, even though supplies for it were well out of view and in our backyard.
His knowledge of the goings-on at our house is a little creepy, but on the other hand, it’s kind of reassuring. At least I know someone’s on the lookout for the sketchy element, and he’d be the first one to let us know if there was trouble brewing.
If Neighbor Tom were weirder than he is, I might worry that he was a crazed stalker. But, as it is, he’s just an overly observant and chatty neighbor.
And he can be a time-consuming distraction. He comes out of nowhere while I’m doing yard work and stands there with his beagle dog, just waiting to strike up a conversation. That conversation will last a minimum of 30 minutes, and I’ll learn all about my other neighbors and what they’re doing. Then I’ll be thrown off my house-chore groove and wrap things up prematurely.
Or, if I see him coming, I’ll sometimes run into the house just to avoid the 30-minute gossip session. Still, it’s an interruption to the mission.
Mostly, I don’t mind. He’s harmless and means well — I think.
Does your neighbor know about this blog? If so, he might become more foe than friend
I have lots of neighbors like yours! When we put in our paver patio, they all wanted to know what was going on in our backyard. When we put up our PRIVACY fence, one neighbor even had the nerve to walk on the side of our house and take a peek through the boards. He scared the heck out of me, and the dogs weren’t too happy a stranger was on our property. He got a few strong words from me, so I don’t think he’ll be taking any peeks anymore.
I wonder if my neighbor across the street is your neighbor’s mom, Mandy?
She’s a nice woman. She’s watched our house and watered our lawn while we were gone, and she had a bunch of feral neighborhood cats spayed at her expense so they wouldn’t keep reproducing and getting hit by cars. And she refilled our lawnmower’s gas tank when we ran out and our lawn was nearly knee-high.
But the lady seems to materialize out of thin air whenever I step out of my front door, and once I get into a conversation with her, I can kiss 20 minutes of my time goodbye, on average.
I guess it’s a small price to pay to have someone keep an eye out for suspicious activity. And besides, she’s probably just lonely (no kids around, no husband) and enjoys talking to people when she gets the opportunity — perhaps your neighbor’s the same way?
That’s definitely what it is. He’s a good enough sort of guy, just all up in everyone’s business. I just think he’s wired that way. Tristan, your comment on “materialize out of thin air” — that is sooooooo like him. There’s about two more like him in the neighborhood, too, so if I want to get stuff done, I just wave and avoid eye contact.
Dark sunglasses and a hat help, too.
My neighbor Jenny is the same way!
Typically by the time she stops, my clothes are out of style!
You really struck a nerve Mandy. I, too, have a neighbor like that. Only mine is approximately 100 years old and knows the entire history of my house (and every other one within a three-block radius). I even found out that a big rock seemingly just decorating the side of my driveway is actually the grave marker of a previous occupant’s dearly departed dog.