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Monday, November 16, 2009

Drama in my garden

Two weeks ago Sunday, I was up very early around 05.30 am and decided to take a walk in the garden. I made a cup of tea and walked towards my gazebo. I placed the tea on the table and took a stroll toward the west side of my property . As I got along the side of my shade house near my flamboyant tree, I saw someone walking towards me. I froze in my spot to prevent detection. As the figure approached, I suddenly recognized the person, it was a lady who lived a few houses away. I would often give her a lift to town, chat with her and share any bounty from my garden. She entered my shade house from the back with a large garbage bag in her hand . I was very mad at myself for not walking with my camera that morning. She took a quick look around at the plants I had on the floor and then made a beeline to my orchid stand. She lifted her hand and took a pot , it was at that moment I silently approached her from the rear. I stood about five feet from her back and exclaimed "well, well, well, I heard that you were the one stealing my plants but did not believe it". She replied aggressively that she was not stealing. So I asked her what was she doing in my shade house, on my property, with my orchid in her hand and a garbage bag in the other. She replied that she was not stealing that she had gone to empty some stuff that was in the garbage bag. So I asked her again what was she doing there. I shouted in a loud voice that if this was the manner in which she treated people who have been kind to her. By stealing from them, and she again shouted back she was not stealing. I asked what if I call the police, she shouted back to me, to call them. I told her that this was not the first time she has been here stealing, because she had been seen before by my helpers. Now I have a voice that can be heard miles off, I told her that she was nothing but a common thief, to get off my property at once and that I will be calling the police. As she was walking off she called me a thief. I couldn't believe what I had heard. So I told her that it is she who was on my property stealing so she had it all wrong. Now this woman is in her late sixties and I wanted to push her or cuff her, for the attitude she had. Instead of apologizing she was behaving as if I was in the wrong. So I called the police and made a report. They went to her house later that morning and gave her a warning not to trespass on my property. When the police left, she and her common class family started cussing me and she shouted out that she can come and get any plant she wanted anytime I am not there. Well I called back the police and told them what she had said. The next day they came and warned her again. On Friday, my helper was potting up some plants when she heard some voices. She stood up and looked straight across at the faces of the thief and her niece looking in on my property. They left when they saw her. Now my property is not enclosed, so when the police came to speak to me about the incident they told me that I should put up a fence. I told them that it will be too costly to enclose the whole property, however they suggested I fence the area that the thief has access to. I have now moved all of my orchids nearer to the house and have re potted them . I had really neglected them and I hope that they will make it.


So this weekend gone I had my helpers erect some poles in the ground to later fence the area. The poles were cemented into the ground and I am trying to find the most economical way to fence it. I am also looking into some wireless surveillance cameras.

15 comments:

  1. I am so sorry you have had to deal with such a difficult neighbor. I hope the fence keeps her away.

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  2. Hi Helen! What an audacious thief! I am glad you called the police. Now you have the additional expense of making a new shade house and fencing it. I am sure your orchids will survive by your care.

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  3. My goodness, how awful! I am truly sorry you have such a situation.

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  4. Gosh I would have reacted the same way! I would be very angry if I found out the person I am nice to stole my things. Moreover, those orchids have been with you for a long time already right? Anyway, she ought to be warned and told off :-) I hope no repeat of such incident and your garden will be safe and sound always.

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  5. Helen,
    It's hard to understand why some folks disrespect others. I would be embarrassed for her as she has no concept of honor. The real crime is the damage to your trust of others and you having to put up a fence to regain your sense of security. I always thought it sad to ride in Miami and see all the homes encased in bars like a giant cage. Anyway on the bright side I love your blog and your beautiful island.

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  6. Helen girl, this has my trini blood boiling!! I cant believe the blatant bold-faceness of the woman, talk about wrong and strong!

    Although, such a property unfenced in Trinidad would have been prey to much more wrongdoing than one annoying nieghbor, as I am sad to say we have more than our fair share of 'opportunists' to put it mildly.

    I hope the fencing works out and soon for your peace of mind.

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  7. That must be maddening! I just don't get people like that. I had a neighbor once who was stealing my dirt. Can you imagine? (Granted, it was nice compost-y dirt that I had bought for some beds.) Good luck with your situation. I hope you can come up with an economical solution for your fence. You've probably scared her for a while at least.

    btw, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Claudia. She sounds very special.

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  8. Dear Helen,
    I'm so sorry to hear this story. What a shame you are having to erect a fence at your expense to be safe from a neighbor. I have a feeling those orchids are going to do just fine with your good care!
    Blessings,
    Meems

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  9. Helen...I hope the fence takes care of such theft! That too, orchids! I wouldn't want to be in a situation like that! the cheeck of the woman, even after all the kindness from your end!

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  10. Oh Helen... what a horrible situation! And how mean of her to do this to you when you've been so kind to her.
    I truly hope the fence solves your problem. I know it must be very expensive to put in place but in the end, at least it'll buy you peace of mind.

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  11. Azplantlady, lotusleaf, Nicole,Stephanie........I hope that the old b***&% will not come back. The fence poles are in and am presently costing the material for the fencing.

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  12. Sanddune...thanks for stopping by and welcome to my garden. This woman has no shame nor does her family.

    Roxanne....it had my blood boiling too, lucky for her I didn't have my dogs with me.

    Jean, Meems, Kanak, Sunita .....this woman is wilful and would try again. I am going to defintely invest in some security cameras.

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  13. I wouldn't want to live with such a neighbour. She doesn't give people any peace of mind. I pray that she will move away. I think the camera is a good idea.

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  14. Dear Helen, it was lucky that you caught her red-handed. I am amazed at how thick skinned she got by not admitting to her mistake and yet turned around and called you a thief. If she had apologized, I believe you would have let her go and forgive her this time. Hope the thief's niece will not learn to steal from her aunt.

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  15. I just discovered your blog and let me first commend you for doing a very good job in the garden and also blogging about it.

    As I read this particular piece I wanted to shake this woman for you. My family and I have suffered at the hands of persons like this many times, they seem to think they just have the right to take your plants, your fruit and your vegetables as they please.

    I hope you had no further problems with her and she and her no class family subsequently left you and your property in peace.

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