The Latest

 Dear John,

I've really needed to talk to you this week.  All sorts of news that would interest you has been in my work email lately.  

Your former friend, MD, is retiring.  Since he's sworn, he started later than us and gets to leave earlier than I will.  MG also retired a couple years ago - I think we talked about that.  I think all the CSIs that were there when you work with me have retired.  MD, however, is going to double dip - he's going to be a Chief of Police in an area similar to the one where we live.  I'm sure it's just a stepping stone - since his sister's husband has strong Chicago connections, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up as Chief of Police there.  It's probably the right path for him, since he's so rigid about rules.  I'm not sure of the subtext, though - his wife and the kids will be staying for a year and a half.  The oldest, who is S's age, will graduate high school, and the youngest will be leaving elementary school.  I'm sure he'll be successful, unless, of course, he has continued to drink as much as he did when you guys hung out together.  That was a lot.  

In other news, our friend DA was found at home this weekend, unresponsive.  Our other friend MB had volunteered to be D's contact person after his girlfriend died.  MB had texted him last Wednesday, but then hadn't heard back from him Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  On Sunday, he called the police for a wellness check - the police found him alive.  But he had probably been there since sometime Wednesday or early Thursday.  Word is he has a brain bleed/clot.  I'm not sure how he's doing, but we're going out for lunch with MB on Thursday, so I will be able to get an update.  I know D's in his late 70s, and his health is pretty good but not great.  But it's still pretty shocking.  I haven't been good about keeping in touch.  We used to have lunch every week, but that fell off after Covid.  I saw him last month.  

It's Halloween, so we dressed the dogs in some costumes.  I found some super cute fleece pajamas with skulls for $8.50 at TJ Maxx - several small children complimented me.  I passed out lots of candy and S and I watched Halloween movies.  I've got a summons for jury duty next week.  I assume they will choose not to call me.  S and I are going to a watercolor class on Friday.  That should be fun. 

So that's what's been going on.  I wish you were here to talk about it all with me.

Love,

A

Here we go again

 Dear John,

I don't know why people persist in thinking that I am more reasonable and nicer than you.  You were always the one urging me to be conciliatory - to not hold grudges.  But that ain't me.  I am polite, and pleasant...to a point.  But once challenged, I don't forget and rarely forgive.

I was walking the dogs this past weekend and heard some people talking next door in the driveway.  I took a look over there, and saw the landscaping guys out on the far side of the spite berm.  Of course I was suspicious, but they were on the correct side, so I let it go.  When I got back, I saw one of the guys in our yard...and so I walked up the neighbor's driveway to see what was going on.

They had cleared all the mulch from that side of the berm, and trimmed back the crazy bushes.  The guy does a nice job, if you're going for that sculpted English garden look.  I am incapable of making things even, so I prefer the more natural (i.e. wild) look.  So I had to have a conversation with the landscaping guy and his assistant.

Me: Hi.  I just wanted to let you know that that is my property from the berm over.

Landscaping guy: Oh, I know.  (Idiot neighbor) asked us to clean it up for you.

Me: Well, I'm sure you don't know this, but we've been involved in an ongoing property dispute for a number of years.

Landscaping guy: Um...he just wanted us to make it look good

Me: Yeah, well, he had to pay a surveyor to figure out this isn't his property. *grim smile*

Me: On top of that, the foxes around here have been trying to dig up the berm.  I have those bags of mulch sitting out to keep them from tearing up the landscape fabric.  Once they stop being so active, I will spread the mulch out, but we're not there yet.  Also, I see you cut down my weed tree.  Do you know what that was?

Landscaping guy's assistant: Well, I'm sure you won't mind if we spread the mulch for free. Yuck Yuck Yuck.

Landscaping guy: Oh, yeah, that was a poplar. Those don't last very long and they're kind of messy.  I have had some in my yard - they only last about 75 years.

Me: *blinks*

Me: Also, the bushes are providing a screen and I like a more natural look.

Landscaping guy: Oh, the trees will fill in - just takes a few years.

Me:  Well, OK then.  Have a good day.

The audacity of that man.  If he were a good neighbor, who thought maybe I was overwhelmed and wanted to take care of something for me, I would have an entirely different, if still aggravated reaction.  But his "help" comes with strings attached, so I knew I had to shut that down immediately.  I'm still debating about mailing a very angry letter to him.  I'm half tempted to pay for a cease and desist letter or report him for trespassing.  Of course, if he were a good neighbor, he would have just asked me if I wanted it taken care of.  That motherfucker will never learn.  I guess we'll see if they get video of ME screaming at them.  I doubt it - they inspire cold anger, not hot.  

Anyway, now I have to go down to the rock shop and see if they have any good rocks to put on the berm.  I was going to head over to visit you and check along the bluffs for some rocks.  But gas isn't any cheaper over there today, so I will just go and see how much it will cost to pick out some and have them delivered.  Sigh - I miss our rock collecting adventures.  Maybe I'll go next weekend - it's supposed to cool down significantly, so that will be better for rock collecting.  Maybe I'll take the kid and her boyfriend and make them do the work...

Like I needed this aggravation...

We have an audit at work this week, and everyone is freaking out.  I look forward to filing a grievance if they let some people work from home, when they told us that EVERYONE's telework was cancelled.  One of my friends from work is cheering me on.  She is the nicest person, and the hardest worker, and they have decided they need to mess with her.  She is a major germaphobe, and so never joins in the social activities.  Her boss told her to make sure she attends them, and when she came down to the staff meeting the other day, her boss told her to "watch her face."  Well, her face naturally wears a mildly concerned expression (unless she's talking to you - then she's very smiley and animated, but at rest...she usually looks worried).  I was aghast at this directive.  But anyway, because she's so nice, and avoids trouble, she wouldn't file a grievance.  But she would certainly be happy if I did.  Regardless, now I have to go in to work next Friday, so I guess I can go rock hunting after that since I'll be halfway to the cemetery.

Anyway, love you and miss you, especially for picking up heavy rocks,

A