Neighborly peace might require fence and a camera
How do you handle someone who does not get the message to stay off our property?
-- Upset Homeowners
Dear Upset: Your neighbor might be experiencing cognitive changes, brain illness, or decline. The weed killer episode is one clue that all might not be well with him, mainly because it seems irrational and -- random.
Either that, or he is -- as you claim -- an intrusive bully (or possibly both).
A fence clearly delineating your property line would be a good investment. You should also consider installing a (relatively inexpensive) outdoor security camera.
Your neighbor calling you "rude" is a small price to pay, as long as things don't escalate. Perhaps your "rudeness" will keep him off of your property.
Remember that he has 30 years of behavior to undo. If he continues to trespass, you may have to follow through and get the police involved.
Dear Amy: I have a "port wine stain" birthmark, about the size of your fist, on the back of my thigh. Since it's covered by clothing 90 percent of the time, (and since I'm 68 years old and well past obsessing over having a pageant-ready swimsuit bod,) it's rarely a problem for me -- or anyone else.
However, I'm about to go on a beach vacation, where I expect to put on a swimsuit and have some water-related fun.
Here's my problem: How can I respond to the eeeewww-level comments from people seeing my birthmark for the first time?
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