23 January 2010 Maybe we should suggest roller derby for stress relief

23 January 2010 Maybe we should suggest roller derby for stress relief


The neighbor across the street, the one who has repeatedly made himself unpleasant for a number of reasons, is out of town. Reportedly his mother is dying.

He left his house and dogs in the care of his two daughters. It is significant to note that the neighbor’s 16 year old son did not remain here so as to attend school. Mike and I both feel that the son will drop out of school at the earliest possible point. Until then, he seems to miss quite a lot of school and his father doesn’t seem too interested in his son acquiring any education.

The daughters are, so we are told, not supposed to drive his truck. So of course they’ve driven the truck nearly every night. The spend ¼ to ½ hour revving the engine then go tearing down the road at speeds that are 2-3 times too fast for the road. Apparently they go seeking excitement.

Thursday morning as I was walking down to Mike’s place, past the neighbor’s driveway, two women in a red pickup stopped alongside me and wanted to know if I knew the neighbor and where he lived. I suggested that they read the names and numbers on mailboxes. They went driving down the valley instead of looking up to see the name on the gate post. As they drove off, it was apparent that one of the women had either a cut or scratched lip and some facial scratches. I gave it little thought but mentioned it to Mike. Mike immediately thought that the “daughter(s)” must have driven the truck to some place where a fight ensued over something or someone. He opined that the woman with the scratched face must have been looking for revenge and needed to know where to visit it. Gloria felt that Mike’s scenario was probably correct.

Since the neighbor and his offspring live their lives as source material for really bad country-western songs, and since such lifestyle is never in my mind, I may have inadvertently provided targeting information to whoever the daughter(s) pissed off. On the other hand, if they are dumb enough to get into a bar fight or a parking lot fight, the vengeance-seeking pair may have not understood what little information I provided.

The scenario Mike suggested was given reinforcement yesterday. While Gloria was waiting for me to return, she said that one of the daughters came out to the road, looked around, went back inside and then came out again. At that point, Gloria heard four gunshots and someone left in the truck that is not to be driven.

The weekend is upon us and the possibility of stupid people trying to scare or hurt other stupid people by using firearms in a careless and dangerous manner is something we are concerned about. What concerns me, other than, stray rounds, is the possibility that the revenge seekers will decide to carry out their illegal acts at the wrong address. I get the impression that the women in the red pickup are not overly well able to make sound decisions and wonder, frankly, if they can read. The daughters have already demonstrated their lack of social conscience by waking another neighbor who works nights to try to persuade her to get up and purchase tobacco for them. The stage may be set for escalation tonight. We hope not, but we can’t ignore the potential.

There was an attempted home invasion in a rural area outside Greeneville last night that resulted in the death of one of the invaders. We make every effort to avoid angering our neighbors. We’ve been successful, we think, with the exception of the neighbor across the street. That situation seems to be beyond resolution. I don’t think he would risk any direct conflict. But, as with every other place I’ve lived, there are people who can be convinced that people who don’t even know them have wronged them in some manner. There are others who simply enjoy fighting. Mike feels that the daughters gravitate toward such males. Therefore, we are prepared and will exercise caution until this matter becomes resolved.



H.L Mencken could well have had N.E. Tennessee in mind when he wrote:

“No one in this world has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”

Tonight’s dinner is Cioppino. I’m beginning with a Bobby Flay recipe and cutting it down in servings. I’m adding a few twists of my own that change the nature and the delectability of the dish not at all. I’m also serving ciabato spread with a parsley, garlic, thyme butter and oven toasted. That should fill hungry bellies. Gloria’s friend Chris, an on-line friend from Michigan is staying with us tonight so a decent meal is in order.