My New Neighbors

Working in retail for over 12 years has sucked my soul right out of me and given me a deep-seated loathing for the human race. I'm not proud of that fact, but it's the truth. When I come home, I want (need) a peaceful, people-free environment.

On one side of me is an open lot. I have lilac bushes all along the property line that, during the Spring and Summer, block the view of the cars and such that are parked in the lot by the automotive place next to it. The neighbors who lived next door on the other side were an older couple. Very nice and quiet. The man reminded me so much of my Dad. He even wore socks with his sandals. When he mowed the lawn he had on his headphones. I often wondered if perhaps he was listening to the Detroit Tigers game like Dad used to do. He passed away in '95 and the lady lived there for several more years with her grown daughter, who eventually left home.

As time went on, the lady became feeble and had to have hip replacement surgery. She could no longer live alone so she went to live with another daughter. The house sat empty for over 3 years and I became very used to the complete privacy it afforded me.

Last December the lady passed away and her family had grown weary of trying to keep-up the property. The house was put up for sale this Spring. I never expected it to sell in this economy and it is, after all is said and done, a dump. But it sold within 2 weeks for about $12,000.00. (That gives you an idea of just how bad the place is.)

Not only did it sell fast, the new owners came with *gasp* 4 kids! FOUR!!!! They have this stupid little dirt bike with a lawn mower motor in it that they ride round, and round and round...even on my property. There's constant screaming by the little girl because her 3 older brothers are picking on her.

Several nights a week there's a huge crowd of people in their yard having a bonfire and a cookout. This past Saturday night they were still out there at 1:00AM with their music playing, kids giggling and a dog barking constantly. I had to get up at 4:30AM to be to work and couldn't sleep.

My home used to be my sanctuary from the madness of the human race. Now, that madness has followed me home.