We have a nice backyard. Wanda and I (more Wanda than I) have put lots of time and effort into it. Wanda maintains two seed and one hummingbird feeder. It's peaceful watching the little peckers eat. I've always enjoyed sitting on the patio or in the family room looking outside.
Now all I see is money waste because of my stupidity. The jasmine pulling the fence down never crossed my mind.
Jennifer called yesterday and said Nick and Eric would repair or build a new one. "That's what families do," she said. "We want to help you guys." Jenn and Eric work and Nick is in school. They have a home of their own to maintain. Financially we're fine. Wanda and I can not do the labor. It's a wonderful offer but I think too much to accept.
The solid green in the left rear corner is the jasmine. It's all gone now and so is the fence behind it.
The solid green in the left rear corner is the jasmine. It's all gone now and so is the fence behind it.
So the fence is keeping me up at night. I need pleasant noise not stress to fall asleep. We used to listen to a wave machine then switched to old radio programs. Five to ten minutes of "The Shadow" or "The Saint" and it's lights out. Neither of us can fall asleep to quiet.
I'm never disappointed when I search for information on the World Wide Web. I've read studies on the cause and cure of bunions. Research on the most popular brand of canned sardines. Case studies on people who decorate with sea shells and glitter. And this morning, research on what's keeping people up at night.
A Harvard astrophysics grad student surveyed 100 people to try and determine the primary offenders-and financial costs-of nocturnal disturbances. This survey claims mitigating, or eliminating noise from roommates, would cost $12 billion per year. You can buy a set of ear plugs for $1.99.
He rated sounds on a 1-5 scale; 1=helpful, 3=neutral, 5=disruptive
Street Noise: 3.45
TV or Movies: 3.48
Footsteps: 3.62
Dancing: 3.80
Snoring: 3.81
Nearby Talking: 3.87
Wall Thumping: 4.04
Loud Sex: 4.11
Get the picture? It's not the sounds but the idea that someone actually took the time to do this. Street noise? Is an ambulance worse than an ice cream truck? Is watching football better or worse than a romantic movie? What if the loud sex involves wall thumping, would that be an 8.15?
I've mentioned my oldest brother more than a few times here on the blog. Fred got upset at what I often thought were petty issues. When he bought his condo he looked out over a large wooded property. It was beautiful and it lasted fifteen years.
Eventually a medical building and parking structure were built on the land. Now his view was bricks, concrete, and cars; which made him nuts. But the worst thing was the sweeper/vacuum truck that came to clean the parking structure twice a week. Wednesday and Sunday at 6 a.m., both his days off.
My brother bitched about this for well over a year. He made phone calls and visits to the cleaning company. He wrote letters to the city council, he called his mayor. He even went to the tenants of the building.
I can understand his frustration. We have a school bus stop across the street. I wish it would go someplace else. But, rather than agonizing over the situation and wasting all that energy he could have spent $1.99 and bought a set of ear plugs.
I don't even need ear plugs for my problem. I just need to stop looking.
I think I'll graciously accept Jennifer, Eric, and Nicks help on the fence. It's what families do.
A Harvard astrophysics grad student surveyed 100 people to try and determine the primary offenders-and financial costs-of nocturnal disturbances. This survey claims mitigating, or eliminating noise from roommates, would cost $12 billion per year. You can buy a set of ear plugs for $1.99.
He rated sounds on a 1-5 scale; 1=helpful, 3=neutral, 5=disruptive
Street Noise: 3.45
TV or Movies: 3.48
Footsteps: 3.62
Dancing: 3.80
Snoring: 3.81
Nearby Talking: 3.87
Wall Thumping: 4.04
Loud Sex: 4.11
Get the picture? It's not the sounds but the idea that someone actually took the time to do this. Street noise? Is an ambulance worse than an ice cream truck? Is watching football better or worse than a romantic movie? What if the loud sex involves wall thumping, would that be an 8.15?
I've mentioned my oldest brother more than a few times here on the blog. Fred got upset at what I often thought were petty issues. When he bought his condo he looked out over a large wooded property. It was beautiful and it lasted fifteen years.
Eventually a medical building and parking structure were built on the land. Now his view was bricks, concrete, and cars; which made him nuts. But the worst thing was the sweeper/vacuum truck that came to clean the parking structure twice a week. Wednesday and Sunday at 6 a.m., both his days off.
My brother bitched about this for well over a year. He made phone calls and visits to the cleaning company. He wrote letters to the city council, he called his mayor. He even went to the tenants of the building.
I can understand his frustration. We have a school bus stop across the street. I wish it would go someplace else. But, rather than agonizing over the situation and wasting all that energy he could have spent $1.99 and bought a set of ear plugs.
I don't even need ear plugs for my problem. I just need to stop looking.
I think I'll graciously accept Jennifer, Eric, and Nicks help on the fence. It's what families do.
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