My neighbor is a "lefty" of sorts (Obama bumper stickers, gung-ho socialized medicine, "guns should be banned", etc.). So this past spring I put this sign up in my yard after one of his anti-gun rants at a neighborhood cocktail party.
The sign wasn't up more than an hour before he called the police and wanted them to make me take down the sign. Fortunately, the officer politely informed him that it was not their job to take such
action without a court order and that he had to file a complaint "downtown" first, which would be reviewed by the city attorney to see if it violated any city, county, or state ordinances, which if there was a violation a court order would be sent to the offending party (me) to "remove the sign in seven days."
After several weeks he was informed that the sign was legal (by a quarter of an inch) and there was nothing the city could do, which obviously made him madder.
I tried to smooth things over by inviting him to go shooting with me and my friends at the hunt club but that seemed to make him even more angry. I am at a loss how to reconcile our long relationship
(notice I did not say friendship), any suggestions would be welcome.
Absolutely love it!!!
Comments
I’m a guy from Texas. At least you’ve got a governor that isn’t demented. He calls Social Security a Ponzi scheme. Alas, be all my sins remembered. Just before I departed Texas, the good old boys of Denton County tried to strangle me with my necktie in the Denton County Courthouse. I was taking them to court. Yep, in 1975 this Texan was in despair. My business enterprise was on the rocks, my second wife divorcing me. I cut my umbilical cord with my past. I left Texas and never looked back.
“To be or not to be . . .O this conscience makes cowards of us all . . .be all my sins remembered.” William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Yes sir, the great orthodoxy that controls the world would disagree that I did the right thing.
We sold our home in West Palm Beach, Florida in 1999 and moved into our home on wheels. In August 2007, my wife Karen and I found an RV park in the tall timber 30 miles southwest of Mt. Hood. This RV park was within the confines of a 250 acre manufactured home park.
During this 8 year period, thanks to a federal government and bank shell game, the price on homes tripled, as it turned out, not a good thing. We couldn’t afford a home, nor could millions of others who bought homes. In November 2007, Karen said, “I hate to think about living in this RV the rest of my life,” but that’s what it had to be, right? Lo and behold, in November 2007, my disability application to the Veteran’s Administration was approved. We could afford a manufactured home on a park owned home site.
On January 1, 2008, the first day without rain for month, on a walk in the park, I saw a beautiful vacant home site. The home on it had been moved off. This home site would have cost at least $100,000 had it been for sale. Our rent is $7,500 per year, throw in water, sewage and garbage pickup. Our property tax is a fraction of what other home owners pay. On January 2, I reserved the site. We bought a manufactured home from a model on the same day, making changes to suit our needs. The manufacturer had discounted our home $10,000. Business was slow. We sold our RV. We now own our beautiful new home free and clear.
Karen and I completely repainted the all white interior with designer colors before we moved in. By March 15, 2008, the day we moved in, we moved into a completely redecorated and furnished home. We’d bought all new furnishings. Our home has gorgeous real hickory hardwood floors.
We found a beautiful gas Franklin stove and a perfect location for it in our living room. Having lived in an RV nine years, Karen wanted a large kitchen, which this home has, with abundant cabinets. The cabinets are real cherry. The cramped shower of our RV was replaced with a large shower, add a jet tub. We added a mural to view during our luxurious tub baths.
The large master bedroom is our pride and joy. A huge insulated glass widow looks out on our garden and the tall timber surrounding us. The third bedroom was opened into our living area with an arch when our home was manufactured. We made it a computer, TV, music room, where I spend much of my time.
I recently bought an Apple computer. It has a sophisticated music recording system in it I use to record my music. I’m still using my old computer as a word processor. I like it much better than Apple’s word processor. Karen now has her own computer in the guest bedroom. We’ve added a screened porch. I recently completed a two level waterfall in a bank facing the porch. We are now mesmerized by the sound of the waterfall.
Frankly, we are pinching ourselves. I’m writing my memoirs. An Aquarian’s Bold Venture will be complete by January 2012. Many Americans will be in despair in 2012. I hope my experience, since I left Texas, will help.