Honestly, I don't appreciate being watched.
I'd hoped to have more privacy out here in the country, but alas, I don't. This example pretty much sums it up:
Just fifteen minutes after a large tractor-like-thing with a post hole digger was delivered to start building our new garage last October, our neighbor from across the street came over. He told me (Tom wasn't home) that he and _____ saw the post hole digger and they hoped we weren't putting in a fence for animals.
Because I knew exactly where he was going with this I told him (a tad testily), "No, we're not. We're just building a garage."
He went on (and on) to explain what I already knew--the previous owners had raised sheep and many neighbors had complained, they'd had to sell some sheep, cart others to their new home. Yada, yada, yada. I told him we are in contact with the previous owners and we know all about the sheep fiasco. He said he knew it wasn't any of his business (oh, to reply to that!), but he and ____ just didn't want us to put in a fence , buy animals, then have to undo the whole thing. They didn't want us to lose all that money.
Oh. My. Goodness! When he left, I was inwardly fuming. The post hole digger had only been beside our barn for 15 minutes!
Suddenly it was like the whole neighborhood stands at their windows 24/7 eyeing us. I felt like, "Please! Can't Tom and I be allowed our God-given freedom to make our own mistakes? Can't we be given some credit now that he's 51 and I'm 49? Can't we live here without feeling like our quasi parents live across the street?
I know, I know. Pride. But still--can't we finally have some freedom?
Some of you understand exactly what I mean. Others will put a positive spin on our neighbor's words--but I'm not feelin' it. Sorry.
So, like winter quotes often say--at least now in January we have privacy. Well, here inside our house where most of our Winter Life takes place. Outside where I shovel snow and feed the birds there's less privacy because of all those naked trees out there.
But in here inside? In here there's a whole other world, a cozy, private winter world, and I'm thankful for it.
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"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands..." 1 Thessalonians 4:11
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When I was growing up - in the 60's and 70's (somewhere near where you live now) the family that lived next door to us provided endless interest. Drugs were sold, houses and businesses were robbed, alcoholism and a fire in the house. 2 years after the fire the drapes in the livingroom still had yet to be cleaned. I think that my parents would have preferred to live next door to sheep!!
ReplyDeleteCan you put up a fast growing hedge or tree line between you and the neighbors? We have woods between us and two neighbors. I'm not sure that anyone realizes that I raise honeybees yet.
I completely understand what you are saying. I also value my privacy.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote!
Elizabeth(simplePleasures)
Oh, Debra, I'm sorry you have neighbors possessed of such an unfortunate combination of curiosity and unwisdom (is that a word? It's certainly a true condition!)
ReplyDeleteI only have an acre and a half here in Ohio, and less than that in NY, but both properties have shrubs and trees growing along the fence lines....No totally in NY, but pretty much.......And most of it I was able to do myself by finding "volunteers" on the property and moving them to where I wanted them to be. No expense, but some elbow grease. Paul was European and they do tend to enclose their yards and value their property more....
It'll never happen. Privacy in the country is unheard of. Everybody knows everybody else's business. You better off in a great big city bumping people day in and day out. There no one knows who you are or even cares!
ReplyDeleteAs for your store. It won't stay in business if you don't frequent it. It's prices only reflect it's cost and running a small store is expensive. If you want the convenience you 've got to pay the price..with a smile as well.
Oops! I meant Europeans value their privacy more! Sorry.
ReplyDeleteI discovered, when we bought a tiny cottage on a lake in South Texas, that neighbors are very curious about the new people in the area. They weren't being nosy but were just interested in who we were and what we were doing. Some of the retired men would always stop to chat if they saw my husband outside. One came over, one rainy day, to ask us over for coffee and cake, and to meet his wife. We loved that everyone was so friendly. Where we live, now, the people are not friendly and you are lucky if they wave back, if you wave at them in passing.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the country people, they make better neighbors.
I know exactly what you mean and my heart will be with you.
ReplyDeleteThe commenter who said there is more privacy in the city was right. Out in the country, everyone wants to know what everyone else is up to, and for some reason, feels that they have a right to know. I'm not sure why that is even though we are both "country people". We used to joke about it. We'd be outside working on something and Ken would say, in a high-pitched voice, "Abner? Abner! Look what they're doing NOW! Abner! You're not going to believe it!" as if a busy-body wife somewhere was watching us out her window and relating all our activities to her husband.
ReplyDeleteThat quote from 1 Thes. could be my life verse. I am much of a "live and let live" type of person.