being a good neighbor--

[RadarTech]

Well as some of you know, I am SUPPOSED to be under dr's orders to
1. Stay off the tractor
2. no strenuous work
3. no exercise
4. no heavy lifting
5. rest and relax and take the meds..


hmm... got a call from a neighbor (82 yo grandmother) about another neighbor that has a badly washed driveway... (68 yr old widow and retired school teacher) I told them I would come by yesterday-- but when I was on my way home, the trip to ER intervened.--- that is a story for another time.. albeit a long one...

so what do you think happened today?

well--- I had to see how bad it was...Drove around there and found another 70ish yo neighbor, shovel in hand putting dirt in the ruts.. I went back and got the tractor and drove it around there.... the only negative thing is I have to drive 20 min on the tractor to go there even though cross country is 3 min.. (have to bypass the one bad neighbor's property-- who I passed on the road while on the tractor!!!)

I am sorry, but here I am barely over half his age, with a weak excuse that I am not even sure I agreed with, have a tractor and enjoy helping.....

so I thought about what the doctor told me..
Driving was fine as long as I took a break at least every hour...


so my theory was, I can drive the tractor and just be gentle...

Took me 20 min to drive over, then I worked for 30, took 10 min and worked 20 more and drove home..

Now I can hear some say-- that was stupid..
but ya know she could barely get out of her driveway.....

All is well and I only have a little more pain...

The satisfaction was worth so much to see a happy face...

I refused any money but when I got home the 70 yo neighbor slipped some cash in my tool bag on the tractor.... It was more than enough for twice the fuel I used... sneaky ole guy!!!:confused2:

Now that I shared my story--- who has a good story about just helping someone with your tractor...

under adverse conditions or just a good neighbor.... let's see some good stories..
think positive..



J

 

[dcyrilc]

I'll reserve judgment until I've at least heard the short story.:laughing:

No stories yet...haven't had a tractor long enough. Let me finish getting it into decent condition, then I'll be good to go.:thumbsup:

 

[RadarTech]

I'll reserve judgment until I've at least heard the short story.:laughing:

No stories yet...haven't had a tractor long enough. Let me finish getting it into decent condition, then I'll be good to go.:thumbsup:

hmm.... There is always one.....

Abridged version... 5 hours in ER, 1 cat scan, 2 IV's, antibiotics, pain meds, with a follow-up visit monday, surgery possible in 2 weeks... appendectomy is possible, lithotripsy is also possible if appendecotmy is not needed...
Now you can judge.....

J

 

[6011Artist]

Every spring when I put the tiller on the tractor to break up my garden I have a 76 yr old, a 77 yr old, and a 65 yr old neighbors that I till their garden spots as a good neighborly deed. And I do the 65 yr olds daughters small spot while I am there. I tell them it's free as long as I already have the tiller on. That way they realize it's not a yr round whenever they want it service, but while I am doing it, I don't mind getting theirs either.

The 77 yr old neighbor and her daughter was digging up 10 yucca plants that were 15 yrs old. When I realized it I grabbed a tractor and a 4 tooth subsoiler and did in an hour what would have taken them a month, again, no money expected.

Have bush hogged her back property to get it in shape for the daughter to keep it cut with the riding lawn mower.

Saw another neighbor starting to cover up a drain field by hand, didn't ask, just got a tractor and blade and went to his rescue, no charge.

And I have another neighbor that is never helpful to anyone and is really a butt hole, I do his garden too but I charge him 20.00 for 30 min work. If he would let me cross his swamp to get to the creek, I'd never charge him. He argues constantly with his surrounding neighbors about property lines, lil trivial things. He pays. But the good guys get the good neighbor deal.

 

[dcyrilc]

hmm.... There is always one.....

Abridged version... 5 hours in ER, 1 cat scan, 2 IV's, antibiotics, pain meds, with a follow-up visit monday, surgery possible in 2 weeks... appendectomy is possible, lithotripsy is also possible if appendecotmy is not needed...
Now you can judge.....

J

Appendicitis?

If so, I think you'll be fine...as long as you don't get too carried away. I wouldn't recommend trying to brush-hog a couple of acres or such.

 

[RadarTech]

Appendicitis?

If so, I think you'll be fine...as long as you don't get too carried away. I wouldn't recommend trying to brush-hog a couple of acres or such.

the concern he had was kidney stone, and kidney infection complicated by symptoms of Appendicitis....

I understand the antibiotic has a sideeffect of tendon damage if using muscles...Pharmacist and doctor had slightly different levels of severity..


J

 

[RadarTech]

Every spring when I put the tiller on the tractor to break up my garden I have a 76 yr old, a 77 yr old, and a 65 yr old neighbors that I till their garden spots as a good neighborly deed. And I do the 65 yr olds daughters small spot while I am there. I tell them it's free as long as I already have the tiller on. That way they realize it's not a yr round whenever they want it service, but while I am doing it, I don't mind getting theirs either.

The 77 yr old neighbor and her daughter was digging up 10 yucca plants that were 15 yrs old. When I realized it I grabbed a tractor and a 4 tooth subsoiler and did in an hour what would have taken them a month, again, no money expected.

Have bush hogged her back property to get it in shape for the daughter to keep it cut with the riding lawn mower.

Saw another neighbor starting to cover up a drain field by hand, didn't ask, just got a tractor and blade and went to his rescue, no charge.

And I have another neighbor that is never helpful to anyone and is really a butt hole, I do his garden too but I charge him 20.00 for 30 min work. If he would let me cross his swamp to get to the creek, I'd never charge him. He argues constantly with his surrounding neighbors about property lines, lil trivial things. He pays. But the good guys get the good neighbor deal.

ya know Roy Jackson has that TANSTAAFL on his signature.... There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch... See the thread... But it is sad that some people dont understand a few minutes of kindness is priceless as it returns to them...


J

 

[RoyJackson]

Appendicitis?

If so, I think you'll be fine...as long as you don't get too carried away. I wouldn't recommend trying to brush-hog a couple of acres or such.

Yep...you don't want that appendix to burst...that can kill you.

I used to do my neighbor's drive when the snow gets past a certain point. Got stuck there a time or two as well. Both are in their mid 60's, I'd guess. First time I did this was after I'd finished my drive and saw them shoveling their drive...I just couldn't have that!
Never asked for or got a dime. Heck, I rarely see them (my wife does see them fairly often though...at her retail store). I guess they're nice folks...quiet and keep to themselves. And, 30-45 minutes work that I enjoy (love plowing snow...one of my idiosyncrasies) just for the heck of it is fine with me.

They get it plowed now...I think it's one of their kids coming by with a pickup/plow.

 

[RadarTech]

When I was younger, I often heard the ole phrase "the good deeds men do, often go unpunished."

while I can't say I agree, or disagree or even understand the phrase, I believe I would rather do the deeds and get punished....

I can't speak for anyone else--- but the feeling of helping someone because you can, it really nice...


J

 

[dave1949]

It's nice that you help your neighbors.

We have a new part-time neighbor across the road. I went over last year and introduced myself and chatted awhile. He mentioned his grass/weeds were out of control and I offered to whack them with my bush hog, it was on the tractor already even. He asked how much and I said I wouldn't charge him anything. It's not a big yard at all, actually too small for easy bush hogging. He seemed suspicious of me for offering that. He also mentioned he was a former policeman and he planned to have his son put up security cameras around the house. You would need to see the house to know the humor in that. Go figure. A while after that, they dissappeared for the rest of the summer and all winter. I see they just had a new well drilled this week, maybe their dug well dried up and they couldn't use the place with no water.

We have elderly neighbors at the end of our lot. I stop by and chat once in a while. Always offer to help if they need something. They have kids nearby and are pretty independent otherwise.

I wouldn't say folks around here are unfriendly, they sure can be slow warmers though.
Dave.

 

[AKfish]

I plow about 1/3 mile of the road that runs past our place. When we get a heavy dump - it might be 2-3 days before a grader will clean up the road. At least I can keep it open enough that folk's can make it out towards the highway.

I do the old, crippled homesteader's place to the east of us and the widow and divorcee places (they live real close to each other), too. Help the renter's across the way once in awhile, too.

I was cleaning up near a 5 acre parcel down the road from the house this past winter and noticed a young kid shoveling their (renters) 200' driveway... probably 8'' on the ground! I pulled in and cleaned everything up. Fella comes out and tries to pay me - told him to give the money to his boy.

I like doing the work and they give me homemade jam-jelly and the widow lady made me some fudge this past Christmas that was "to-die-for"!! :thumbsup: Best fudge I ever swallowed with a sip of coffee!

My wife has also volunteered me to clean up the cluster mail boxes out next to the highway... she thinks I have too much time! She's pestering me to see about some 3/4" minus fill to even out the ruts and low areas next to the boxes, now! I explained; in my reserved manner... that there's no-way I'm helping the maintain the area AND pitch in for gravel, too!! That ball is in her court!

AKfish

 

[alvanko]

I think it was last year, or the year before. An elderly lady from down the street, stopped on her way down the street, to ask me if I would come by her home and give her an estimate to backfill and smooth an area where she had drainage tile put in years ago. I said "sure", some time in the next week or so I would take a look. Well I went down there the next Saturday with my tractor and rear blade and just backfilled and smoothed. I just enjoy working with my tractor.
Now I know, I don't have insurance or anything if I had hit her house or anything else, but I just tried to be careful.
I had no problems, no damage, etc... I never gave her an estimate and never expected anything in return.
She stopped by the following Sunday to ask what she owed. I said nothing. That what neighbors do.
She was so happy I could tell she was getting teared up.
That's what neighbors do, or at least should do. Now adays, everyone is so sue happy, you need to be careful. But the satisfaction of helping someone, is so fullfilling.

 

[gwdixon]

Some of this info is in other posts.

1. A divorced and retired older lady had been paying somebody $400/year to disc her two acre lot. As a property line neighbor she admired the job done on my field and I offered to work her little place. It is now plowed, disced, leveled, rolled, and looks so pretty that she said she now opens her windows in the mornings and just smiles with her coffee. That is a good neighbor - no charge of course.

2. A five acre abandoned lot across the road was a fire trap used as a construction dump. It was cleaned up, volunteer trees taken out with the BH, plowed, disced, leveled, and rolled. First time it was worked in the thirty years I've lived here. The resident neighbors are ecstatic and the fire danger gone.

3. An older neighbor with a pacemaker needed several hundred mature eucalyptus trees taken out. He can work for a half hour and then must rest for a half hour. While I have gotten 18 cords of wood from the work it has been a learning experience. Expensive too - new chain saw, wood splitter, M7040 tractor, L48 TLB, welding repairs to equipment and his tractor (he can't weld with a pacemaker). The job is about 25% done but he is eternally grateful.


All in all, it is fun work, helps others less fortunate, and gives me a good night's sleep.

 

[Thomas]

By the sounds you know your limits RT..tip of the hat for kind deed.
Wising you speedy recovery.

For the last 10+ years snow removal neighbor driveway parking,when the leaves fall one day each take back pack blower clean there lawn.

Elderly neighbor offer handsome payment etc.but I tell them each year you pay me I shall never return.

 

[polo1665]

Well, I'm sort of in the same boat as Cyril. Only really have one neighbor that I really know, he's also a work colleague. The offer is definitely out there, I would never leave someone hang out to dry if I could help them out.
Not to say that I haven't done my share of non tractor related good deeds over the years. I was a Boy Scout:thumbsup:
I guess I should take the time to introduce myself to some more of my neighbors.
Take care of that appendicitis. That's something that will really bite you if you don't take care. I'm sure your neighbors and family want you around for years to come.

Mark

 

[TripleR]

RadarTech, you sound like my father in law. He had heart problems and double hip replacements. I lived some distance away then and would come over to take care of the farms when he was recovering. He was under strict orders by the doctor not to drive ANYTHING. Inevitably, when he got to a certain point he would convince my mother in law it wouldn't hurt to just drive up to the farm and drive around the pond and woods as we have good smooth roads. He would then sneak off to locate me and commandeer the tractor, "it won't hurt if I drive slow, no worse than driving a truck (course he wasn't supposed to be doing that either). Of course I had to sit in the truck while he "worked" or he would be found out.

Before his health problems, he mowed the ball fields and park as well as KC Hall grass lot.

About a month ago, a very large Oak tree blew down across a field road and the men that rent our land spent three days cutting it up into firewood and stacking it down at our barn. I told them they could just burn it, give it away for firewood or push it to the side, but that is just the kind of people they are. If I wanted to, I could sell my tractors on this farm and they would keep everything mowed and roads tended. We do give them a very good deal on rent, but it wouldn't make any difference if we didn't.

There are a lot of good people out there.

 

[RadarTech]

By the sounds you know your limits RT..tip of the hat for kind deed.
Wising you speedy recovery.

For the last 10+ years snow removal neighbor driveway parking,when the leaves fall one day each take back pack blower clean there lawn.

Elderly neighbor offer handsome payment etc.but I tell them each year you pay me I shall never return.

Thank you Thomas...yea.. I think I do...But the doctors will correct me if not...

I truly think we as a country should help each other out more....


J

 

[RadarTech]

RadarTech, you sound like my father in law. He had heart problems and double hip replacements. I lived some distance away then and would come over to take care of the farms when he was recovering. He was under strict orders by the doctor not to drive ANYTHING. Inevitably, when he got to a certain point he would convince my mother in law it wouldn't hurt to just drive up to the farm and drive around the pond and woods as we have good smooth roads. He would then sneak off to locate me and commandeer the tractor, "it won't hurt if I drive slow, no worse than driving a truck (course he wasn't supposed to be doing that either). Of course I had to sit in the truck while he "worked" or he would be found out.

Before his health problems, he mowed the ball fields and park as well as KC Hall grass lot.

About a month ago, a very large Oak tree blew down across a field road and the men that rent our land spent three days cutting it up into firewood and stacking it down at our barn. I told them they could just burn it, give it away for firewood or push it to the side, but that is just the kind of people they are. If I wanted to, I could sell my tractors on this farm and they would keep everything mowed and roads tended. We do give them a very good deal on rent, but it wouldn't make any difference if we didn't.

There are a lot of good people out there.

TripleR, I think your right....
I did get a little fussed at this morning by another neighbor though...
I actually laughed-- they saw me on the tractor and said they almost came and had someone drive the tractor home and ride me in their car... But I was moving in high gear they thought and said I must not have heard their horn....
I guess it was those mickey mouse ears I was wearing!!!

not sure who had it on their signature-- But : Joy is having the tools you need and needing the tools you have...

I'd add-- to help others....


J

 

[RadarTech]

Take care of that appendicitis. That's something that will really bite you if you don't take care. I'm sure your neighbors and family want you around for years to come.

Mark

yeah-- Like I said in another post-- I got a call this morning and given grief from another nieghbor...
I am trying to be careful-- but it is hard "being lazy"...



J

 

[n2deep20]

Lost of great stuff, nice to know that people still watch out for their neighbors..

First, I have to say that both of my neighbors are "great" people and we help each other as often as possible-needed. However they are getting older, mid 70ish, and I mow the larger sections of their yards, couple of acres, and plow the driveways in the winters.

To me this is never work,, the tractor seems to clear my head and brings back memories from cutting hay as a kid, one of my favorite jobs.

I have always believed that people are good by nature and these stories just confirm my belief.

N2deep