Nasty letter from anonymous neighbor

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

06/28/2011 06:21:46 PM · #1

As many of you know, I've had a knee injury since March and have only recently gotten back mostly to normal. So I haven't been doing ANY yard work and it's gotten out of control. Got a nastygram from the city the other day and am starting to trim things. Today though, there was a rude and nasty letter in my mailbox signed "your neighbors" blasting me for my "disgraceful" yard. Not mature enough to talk to my face, it appears. I want to chew metal. Any suggestions?

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

06/28/2011 06:26:16 PM · #2

Oh wow... do you know which neighbor did it?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/28/2011 06:27:50 PM · #3

No idea. It was handwritten, though. I figure it was someone within a few doors. I know my yard is a mess, but this is pretty damn cowardly.

Covert_Oddity

Nikon D700

06/28/2011 06:28:33 PM · #4

Make it worse, that would be my immediate reaction.

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/28/2011 06:35:07 PM · #5

I would be inclined to make a large poster of the letter and put it up as a placard. Then let the weeds grow up around it.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

06/28/2011 06:35:46 PM · #6

I'd be tempted to make copies of it and a response thanking everyone for all of their concern and help during your recovery from surgery and put it in everyone's mailboxes. (Except for the neighbors that you like)

Someone knows who did it. Show everyone what an ass they were.

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/28/2011 06:46:46 PM · #7

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

I would be inclined to make a large poster of the letter and put it up as a placard. Then let the weeds grow up around it.

And then make an even bigger placard saying that due to a knee injury you are still recovering and will attempt to improve the yard but noting that a little help would be appreciated....that will either shut them up or make them come out and help thy neighbours for once. There isn't enough of that these days!

Marc923

06/28/2011 06:48:21 PM · #8

Do the yard work wearing nothing but a speedo, and play the Spice Girls really loud.

Message edited by author 2011-06-28 18:49:33.

FourPointX

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/28/2011 06:56:33 PM · #9

tinfoil. then do wendy's suggestion.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

06/28/2011 06:59:52 PM · #10

Originally posted by vawendy:

Yep. +1 here. I might take a tone of "I'm genuinely sorry this hasn't been done, but here are the reasons why"...

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/28/2011 07:12:23 PM · #11

Originally posted by Cory:

Yep. +1 here. I might take a tone of "I'm genuinely sorry this hasn't been done, but here are the reasons why"...

That's the voice of reason. I need to cool down first. Thanks. I was going to go for a bike ride, but I'm not feeling like it, even though I know the excercise would help.

I have my suspicions it is a new neighbor. It's never been pristine and perfectly manicured, but in 10 years all my neighbors that have been here all along haven't said anything nasty.

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/28/2011 07:15:25 PM · #12

Lets see pictures of your yard and let us decide!

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/28/2011 07:20:19 PM · #13

Originally posted by Simms:

Lets see pictures of your yard and let us decide!

I'm not denying it's a mess. I'm just angry at someone being anonymously nasty. They could have gone and asked the neighborhood association to talk to me. But they apparently felt this was more effective. Pictures coming.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

06/28/2011 07:25:49 PM · #14

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by Cory:
Yep. +1 here. I might take a tone of "I'm genuinely sorry this hasn't been done, but here are the reasons why"...

That's the voice of reason. I need to cool down first. Thanks. I was going to go for a bike ride, but I'm not feeling like it, even though I know the excercise would help.

I have my suspicions it is a new neighbor. It's never been pristine and perfectly manicured, but in 10 years all my neighbors that have been here all along haven't said anything nasty.

More than likely, the reason it was anonymous is because they're the ones that turned you in to the city about the yard in the first place. Most towns, cities, whatever don't go around looking for yards to cite. I'm with the people that agree a written notice sent out to all your neighbors mentioning the fact that you've been injured and thanking them for all their offered help and patience would probably work wonders in putting some people in their places.

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/28/2011 07:43:51 PM · #15

For those that are curious what begets a nasty letter:

UrfaK

Canon EOS-650/T4i Rebel

06/28/2011 08:03:36 PM · #16

Be direct, be sincere and tell your neighborhood assosciation about the letter in an apologetic tone (maybe helpfully attach a copy too). Heck tell them you're sorry you don't know who the letter sender is so you can apologize in person. Passive agressive might be satisfying right now but it will gain you at least one enemy. That letter writer will continue to believe they are on the right side of the fight if you keep up the fight. They need to be shamed and the rest of the neighbors need to know so go on the offensive definitely but with a gee shucks so sorry attitude so that you deflate the whole scenario and even get neighbors who're on the fence about your yard (and haven't said anything) on your side.

Message edited by author 2011-06-28 20:10:52.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

06/28/2011 08:07:57 PM · #17

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

For those that are curious what begets a nasty letter:

FFS, seriously? That's not bad... I was expecting to see at least one car on blocks from your description of the letter....

kichu

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

06/28/2011 08:12:39 PM · #18

Originally posted by UrfaTheGreat:

Ooh, nice!

Those pictures are insane. People are mental. I can't believe you got a letter about THAT. I feel your pain, I would be livid if I were you. :(

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/28/2011 08:12:41 PM · #19

Originally posted by Cory:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
For those that are curious what begets a nasty letter:

FFS, seriously? That's not bad... I was expecting to see at least one car on blocks from your description of the letter....

I don't actually see any "yard" in there! LOL! I was expecting 4 foot grass or something.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

06/28/2011 08:14:32 PM · #20

Originally posted by Kelli:

Originally posted by Cory:

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
For those that are curious what begets a nasty letter:

FFS, seriously? That's not bad... I was expecting to see at least one car on blocks from your description of the letter....

I don't actually see any "yard" in there! LOL! I was expecting 4 foot grass or something.

You hear everything is bigger in Texas, but I'm starting to doubt it.. ;)

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

06/28/2011 08:16:13 PM · #21

Originally posted by Kelli:

Same here! Where's the 4 foot grass!! Ummmm... where's any grass...?

UrfaK

Canon EOS-650/T4i Rebel

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/28/2011 08:16:18 PM · #22

Originally posted by Cory:

Come on, no washed up cowboys

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

06/28/2011 08:17:51 PM · #23

Originally posted by vawendy:

I'm with Wendy.

I hope you're feeling better.