21 replies to this topic

[Steve Heard]

I recently sold a house in my neighborhood to a very nice single lady who is at retirement age.

 

Today she sent me a text telling me that she's been sick for the past couple of weeks with pneumonia, and that her lawn is over-grown, and asked me if I could arrange for it to be mowed.

 

I'd do it myself, but I don't own a lawn mower, and my guy won't be here until next Tuesday.

 

I was driving home and passed her house, seeing that the spring has really sprung on her lawn, and it really needs a hair cut.

 

Her neighbor was outside mowing his own lawn. I pulled over and told him what was going on, and asked if he'd mind taking care of it while he's doing his. 

 

He said, 'maybe next week. I'm getting my house ready for a party this weekend.'

 

I was pretty surprised. I mean, it's his neighbor, and he's out mowing now, and she's only about 40 feet away from him. It would take all of 10 minutes to do it. 

 

Was I wrong to think it would neighborly of him to help?

 

I'm going to borrow one from a friend and take care of it myself. 

       

[2 Aces]

There is a word for people like that, but this is a family forum so I will refrain from using bad words.

[tony]

...and it would be in his best interest to mow it if he is having a big party, making the neighborhood look better for his guests.

 

Let me know if you need a lawn mover (electric only).

[Howdy]

Guys like that would have no problem doing that if the new neighbor was a 40 year old MILF.

[Chris]

Give him a chance.......   Like lot's of us we are very stressed and very busy with our own family.   My sense is that when he has time, he will help out, and more than you expected.  This is what is great about America....   In the end, most of us, we do the right thing....   Regards, Chris

[folsom44]

I think it is unfair to expect someone to mow the lawn immediately...he said he could do it in a few days, which I feel is reasonable. Let's not assume the worst in him.....who knows, maybe the "nice lady" is one of those neighbors who doesn't even wave hello. I'm just sayin'

[ambrno33]

It takes less than 4 minutes to mow a lawn in Folsom. Any decent neighbor would have walked the 40 feet to take care of it, and feel good for helping out.
People are too self centered these days. Sad to have it be that way.

[Tyto Alba]

Do not think you can hold it against someone if they do not want to mow someone's lawn.     I think  the guy was reasonable in his excuse.   He probably did not let the tall grass effect him.

 

Over the years I have handled numbers of situations were I had to ask people standing around to help someone (medical emergencies).    Guess I have got used to all the various reactions when I asked.  

 

I just remembered two situations more related to Steve's experience.  About ten years ago I was at my Father In-laws home and he was taking care of a home across the street ( long time neighbor and church member with failing health).  My father in law asked me to mow her lawn for him which I did.   While I was mowing the elderly women looked out the window and the look on her face was awkward.   At the moment I felt awkward and immediately felt I should not be mowing the lawn.

 

The second situation was in my old neighborhood  (starter home) in Sacramento (1990's).   There was a house on the corner at the entrance to the neighborhood with tall grass.    There was recently a domestic abuse situation and the man was no longer living at the residence.  The yard started looking real bad and the fence started falling apart (near a school bus stop).    I was younger then and not thinking through I knocked on the door and asked if she would like to use my mower.    She said "no".     When I left I thought it was awkward.     The bottom line is my offer to use the mower was because she is bringing the neigborhood down.   I figured that is probably how she viewed it.    I am sure there were other reasons but this is one of them.

 

 

Steve,  You can borrow my gas burning 5 hp self propelled mower for her lawn anytime.  Please PM me if interested and we can make arrangements.

[Steve Heard]

I know everyone's got their own issues to deal with, and I don't know what his are. Since he was in the act of mowing his own lawn, I didn't think it was a big deal. I guess I'm just projecting on how I would have handled it. Even if I were going through tough times, if I were mowing my lawn and someone told me my neighbor was sick and needed hers mowed, I'd do it. 

[4thgenFolsomite]

I know everyone's got their own issues to deal with, and I don't know what his are. Since he was in the act of mowing his own lawn, I didn't think it was a big deal. I guess I'm just projecting on how I would have handled it. Even if I were going through tough times, if I were mowing my lawn and someone told me my neighbor was sick and needed hers mowed, I'd do it.

I frequently wish there was a like button under your posts.

[Steve Heard]

I frequently wish there was a like button under your posts.

Thank you! That made my day. 

 

By the way, I should let everyone know that Brandon Eris, owner of Magnolia Landscape, saw my post and contacted me. He said he was just finishing a job and would go over and take care of it. He mowed and weeded for free. 

 

He's a great young man. A hard-working father and husband. I've known him since he was about 12 years old. 

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Thank you! That made my day. 

 

By the way, I should let everyone know that Brandon Eris, owner of Magnolia Landscape, saw my post and contacted me. He said he was just finishing a job and would go over and take care of it. He mowed and weeded for free. 

 

He's a great young man. A hard-working father and husband. I've known him since he was about 12 years old. 

Like

 

(I, too, wish there was a "like" button for your posts.)

[2 Aces]

I should let everyone know that Brandon Eris, owner of Magnolia Landscape, would go over and take care of it. He mowed and weeded for free.

Great. Glad this had a good ending. I will keep his name in case I ever need yard services. And his phone # is (916) 380-7875.

[olivia]

Thank you! That made my day. 

 

By the way, I should let everyone know that Brandon Eris, owner of Magnolia Landscape, saw my post and contacted me. He said he was just finishing a job and would go over and take care of it. He mowed and weeded for free. 

 

He's a great young man. A hard-working father and husband. I've known him since he was about 12 years old. 

LIKE

[tessieca]

That's awesome.  Thanks to Brandon!

 

We were raised to help elderly people.  I would have mowed her lawn as soon as I saw it getting a little too long. At our house if we (term used loosely) mow first, we include the neighbor's front yard.  If he gets to it first, he tosses in ours for good measure.