being a good neighbor--

   / being a good neighbor-- #1  

RadarTech

Elite Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
2,751
Location
North Carolina
Tractor
2007 Kubota L3400, YANMAR YT359C
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
 
   / being a good neighbor-- #2  
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:
 
   / being a good neighbor--
  • Thread Starter
#3  
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
 
   / being a good neighbor-- #4  
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.
 
   / being a good neighbor-- #5  
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.
 
   / being a good neighbor--
  • Thread Starter
#6  
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
 
   / being a good neighbor--
  • Thread Starter
#7  
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
 
   / being a good neighbor-- #8  
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.
 
   / being a good neighbor--
  • Thread Starter
#9  
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
 
   / being a good neighbor-- #10  
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.
 

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