I had an email a couple of days ago. It looks like we have finally settled the boundary dispute at the bottom of the garden.
In my final email, which was sent the day before, I had apologised for being terse but explained that I was working on the basis of “least said, soonest mended”. The neighbour didn’t work on that basis and I received a long email detailing,amongst other things, my failings as a human being, the fact that “everybody” is on their side and the fact that now it is all over they will be able to sleep at night knowing they have done the right thing (the implication being that I haven’t).
It’s very tempting to write back, set out the legal case, defend my character and point out the reason it ended as it did. In the end. it isn’t worth the effort. So, I’m going to resist the temptation. It is done and I would like to leave it that way.
Much as I would like it, I don’t need the last word. And, annoying as it is, I will let them walk away with victory in the war of words.
This also, frustratingly, stops me indulging my passion for sarcasm and deprives me of a great deal of material for detailing my life of tedium. However, there is a virtue in knowing when to stop.
And, at this point, I will stop.
The header picture, depicting Number Two Son after a hard day leading with his face. It represents the thought “bloody but unbowed“.
Yes, I’m a weak and feeble man, and that is my veiled reply to the traductions of my character.
An excellent portrait of your son. I assumed it was one or other of your boys when I saw it before. He looks very much like both you and Julia – a chip off the old blocks! Your neighbour sounds very irritating.
I think the boundary dispute is over. They huffed and puffed and mentioned solicitors but seem to have accepted it and gone away.
We have a builder booked to do the chimney stack too, so things are being sorted out.
The boys looked very different at birth, but between one and four years old we can’t always tell which is which in photos. Can’t always tell from the clothing either, as we thriftily recycled. 🙂
I am glad you are getting on with things. Disputes can cause so much disruption and heartache and can put one off doing anything constructive.
I recycled clothing despite there being eleven and a half years in-between my daughters. I don’t get their photos confused but I do irritate them by getting their names wrong.
That is recycling of Olympic standards. That’s why I numbered my kids – so much easier as I get older.
😀
Thank you for tips & valuable advice. Great portrait
I hope that he finds himself in need of a favor from you in the not too distant future.
Tyhank you. 🙂
That e-mail doesn’t warrant a response. I wondered whether that was your son when I saw the picture last time. Great portrait
Even though I was a concerned parent I thought it was too good to miss. It has a touch of This Sporting Life about it, I think. He used to be in the youth system at Wakefield Trinity where the filming took place, and where most of the original 1930s stands were still in place until recently.
You are the better man and what a great photo of your son!
Thank you. His speciality was winding people up until they lost focus. You can probably tell that from the state of his face. I’m not sure where he learnt that…
How kind of your neighbour to take so much trouble. Obviously he doesn’t believe in pouring oil on troubled waters. I hope that he finds himself in need of a favour from you in the not too distant future.
It would be nice, but it probably won’t happen. I could be a really irritating doer of favours.
I can believe that.
🙂
Wonderful picture of your son! Until I read your description, I was wondering if it was taken from a movie. Boy oh boy, it can be hard to know when to speak up and when to hold your tongue. I never seem to get the balance right. Anyway, across the pond, you have my sympathy, and I am growling at your neighbor. Not that this will do any good. 😉
He was doing well, and was on course to play professionally but a bad knee injury stopped that. Fortunately he’d planned for that and switched his plans to going to University.
It is good to know someone is growling on my behalf, so thank you for that. Let me know when yuo need someone to growl at your politicians.
Now! Growl now! Sorry that your son’s knee injury derailed his plans. Glad he could go change focus and go to university. Not always easy to do that.
Fortunately it had happened to a couple of the people who coached him and he was sensible enough to realise it could happen.
I will start growling now, though I fear the die is cast. 🙂
It’s not looking too bad, Quercus. Keep up the good growling.
Grrrrr…..
Ugh – it sounds like biting your tongue is a good idea. So sorry you are dealing with all of that! On a happier note – your son is adorable – even all banged up.
Yes, if I say nothing I should manage to stay out of trouble. The son is ugly, cantankerous and always knows best. Julia says she has rarely met someone so like me. 🙂
You are better off not responding to your neighbor’s rant. I think the times we are all living in, in general, encourages rants and donning blinders when it comes logic. At least it is over, for now.
Hope so. Yes, moderation is in short supply at the moment. I confess I’m finding it difficult to step away, but silence is better than counter-rant for a number of reasons.