Neighbors from Hell and Landscaping Fun

After an adventure filled weekend of playing drums at the zoo with Maralyn we decided to do more landscaping on the yard. Maizie and I went to Lowes to purchase some plants for the front yard. We had to find plants that grow well in the shade with a little bit of sun. Maizie quickly learned how to read the growing tips for plants. It was hard for her to resist picking out the plants with big beautiful blooms on them. I explained that we needed perennials which seemed to confuse and upset her so we focused on sun versus shade. She picked out a few annuals for our sunny back yard to appease her need for bright colors.
This is our challenge. In the photo above we have our neighbors yard. We live in row houses that were built in the early 1800's so our neighbors "meadow" is right next to the side walk that divides our yards. I took this picture last week after reporting the landlord to Neighborhood Code.

The grass is even longer now and has turned to seed. No weed ordinance sign has been put up. Neighborhood code was even at our house to look at their yard and some homes behind us that we turned in for huge piles of wet cardboard, old piles of trash, a big white van that never moves, tires and more tires piled around the white van. I have also noticed three to four large, able bodied men milling around this house. Once they were even playing horse shoes in their "meadow" as piles of trash sat unmoved. Note to self: Call on suspicious number of men milling around neighbors house.

The nice neighborhood code guy asked us if we knew who owned one of the houses that we were reporting. Apparently the owner is the president of our neighborhood association! Unbelievable! We would definitely consider his house low (very low) on the list of attractive historic neighborhood homes.

The renters are usually scary and some have even been on house arrest. This is also the house where I had to call because a toddler was waddling on the porch roof all alone in nothing but a diaper and little white socks. I called 911 as I listened to the toddler babble and lean over the edge of the roof looking down at me and laughing. It would have been a skull shattering drop had he fell. The police came and found the mother sound asleep in the house. I often feel like a neighborhood babysitter. Keeping my eye on children and adults around here who seem unable to take care of themselves. I often wonder about that little boy on the roof. Had I not been there at just the right time what would have happened to him? That same night the mother packed everything up and disappeared with the child. Apparently she was fearing the visit child protective services was going to be making to her home the next day.

The garbage issue has sent me over the edge. West Central Neighborhood Association is known for trying to turn our downtown neighborhood around. We want more single family homes in the neighborhoods and rentals are encouraged to keep with the historic look. I thought throwing away garbage is common sense?

When I found out that the president of our association owns some of the nastiest homes around here...preaching one thing and doing another. Well, lets just say it really makes me frustrated. Apparently the president can make some things happen for the better but lets his own properties stay in pitiful disrepair.

I talked to my friend who has been a part of the association for years. She said no one else has been willing to be the president as of yet. This guy is apparently the best they could get? I have not been a member of the association but would like to get more involved once I have more energy. Granted, calling the police and code enforcement keeps me busy enough.

Just today a neighbor lady at the long grass house called out to me asking if we had a way to copy papers. I told her I would copy them for her. She handed me two SSI papers. I copied them and when I gave them back to her she told me to watch my daughter closely because the guy in the middle apartment was selling cocaine and people have been coming night and day for buys. Lovely. Not surprising though.

We have had drugs in the house next to us for a long time. The landlord is a complete ass and could care less. She also told me they have very little hot water when the shower works. Her front door window is broken and he won't replace it. But, he does frequently ask her to show the front apartment for him. He says he will fix what she wants if she does so. I told her that was wrong and she said she knew that but feels desperate. Needless to say, I have more phone calls to make.

Here is our back yard. It looks interesting to see our yard right next to the grass from hell. I should have taken a photo where you can see both at the same time. I will have to do that next time.

Currently Joe is taking out the old fence that has been here since who knows when. Once he gets that done we have to get approval for a new fence and deck to go up. It is a pain to get approval and yet people who don't do anything to keep up the houses except the bare minimum seem to get away with everything. Most owners are more than happy to keep paying the fines rather than do the work needed to update the house. All this complaining is making my adrenals hurt real bad. ;)
Okay, enough on that. Maizie helped me position the path stones and carry all the plants to the porch.
She refused to shovel or touch the plants or the dirt. Instead she directed me on where to put them and kept saying, "Mom! Your hands are so dirty! I can't believe you are doing that!"
As I was busy planting I asked her to bring me the next plant. Apparently she was side tracked because I looked up to see her staring at something on the cement. I could not get her attention. What was she looking at? Little rocks. Maizie told me they were going to be a new collection of hers.
Luckily, she eventually lost interest and continued bringing me plants and watering for me. I have five more to plant. Maybe Maizie we will be willing to get her hands dirty tomorrow? Something tells me not to hold my breath.