So there was another township meetin’ the other night, but I didn’t go. I did read reports in the paper. Usual things goin’ on like always, you know? Let’s buy some tools, talk about roads. Better still, let’s blather about the neighbors! See? Same ole things. I do attend occasionally just to see the actual faces of the whiners (oops, taxpayers) there. Mostly older folks? Seems they always find the time to take an interest in local governance?
Like I said, I didn’t go, preferrin’ to allow my interests to develop over coffee the next day (three stools down, ya know?). Coupla cups, an hour or so takin’ up space, while I read two, maybe three papers (free!).
But this time I made the mistake of reading the reporters story on the newspapers new “website” (yep I can run a computer, some). Well..., the readin’ wasn’t my mistake. It was my inability to keep my thoughts to myself?
Ya see, on that website not only can you enjoy readin’ the stories (fer free). You can, at the end of most of ‘em, jump right in there and “comment” about the story! This time the whinin’ (I mean, legitimate complainin’) voiced at the meeting was about “smoky” dadgum outdoor woodburners. They’ve really come into vogue lately (in response to fuel costs eatin’ up all the family food money?)
Anyway I did just that. Fired off an electronic “comment” about what I saw as the heart of the story! Not woodburners..., but public whinin’!
Now (smart) folks, when they submit a comment, use silly little pseudonyms (fake names to hide their true identity). Not me! Nope, I jest sign my real (pen)name right along with my insightful commentary (silly me!). Right off, another less electronically challenged “commentor” told me where to go!
Well, actually he kindly invited me to go on out and enjoy the smoky side effects discussed at the meeting. An’ while sittin’ on the porch smellin’ the smoke of which the complainee complained, write my column from there?
As I’ve said, it wasn’t bad-mouthing woodburners that bothered me. Though their owners apparently never heard of “seasoned” firewood? (smokes ‘bout 90% less if you buy it a year early, then burn it people). People have been discussin’ (publicly complainin’) woodburners for awhile.
Nope! For me it’s the practice of people goin’ out to township meetings..., just to complain about their neighbors! (also in letters to the editor, down at the diner or in drastic cases, over at the courthouse).
Seldom “over the back fence”’ where 98% of it should be addressed!? Right where it used to be handled in simpler (neighborly) times. And with more amiable results.
Many must find it more satisfyin’ to run right out in public to air their complaints? Those un-neighborly “neighbors” seem to have a predilection for “going public” with every little annoyance? So’s we’ve all gotta listen (or read) about ‘em! Maybe they’re infected with that modern malady, the “git famous for 15 seconds germ”? Local government meetings offerin’ ‘em relief through public inoculation while airing grievances? (spoutin’ off about their neighbors).
Admittedly, lot’s of things neighbors do bother me (betcha you notice ‘em too?). But ordinarily I (we?) quietly put up with ‘em. Choosin’ to practice the “live and let live” philosophy (outside this column anyway).
I’ve had neighbors who burned stuff two, three times a week. Smokin’ (an smellin’) up the whole region. Neighbors playin’ music waay loud late at night (wait! that mighta been me?). Kids hangin’ around out under the street lamps two, three in the mornin’ yellin’ (teenage talkin’ volume). Waking folks up (not me, I’m up writin’ at those hours).
People firin’ off guns (or fireworks) around the neighborhood. People racin’ by the house doin’ two, three times the speed limit (15mph). Endangerin’ my ole dogs life as she wanders about findin’ just the right spot to “do her duties”. At her age the hard road bein’ easier to traverse as she searches?
But I don’t run complainin’ to the “guvmint”! I do mumble a lot (and think impure thoughts).
Too many folks, way too often exhibit weird inclinations (fightin’ uphill?) attempting to drag the rest of us along while they blather about their neighbors! Runnin’ off down to “guvmint” meetin’s to agitate. Striving to cajole our public employees into regulatin’ the rest of us! Ban yet Another facet of life in our (formerly) bucolic countryside?
I Don’t Know About You..., I wish they’d try the “back fence method” more. Leavin’ me (an’ you?) to live unmolested.
Cal Teeple, sole member of the Observational Cogitation Consortium, may often be found three stools down from you. He may be ignored, accosted or contacted at: twinews@wayneindependent.com Or on the New Website at wayneindependent.com.
