Are we in the minority?
Tom and I, when we aren’t off on grand adventures and ersatz dream vacations which seem to occupy most of our time, lead quiet lives. And I do not mean "lives of quiet desperation" that Thoreau talked about over 100 years ago while he lived a secluded life near Walden Pond.
We are agreeable individuals who rarely ever raise our voices, most certainly never yell at each other, or anyone else for that matter, and who remain calm in the midst of most storms. In fact, I can’t think of a storm that has ever had either of us flustered enough to yell at all.
Are we in some minute minority, do you think?
This question has been on my mind since yesterday morning. I’ve been pondering this question. You see, I was sitting here quietly at my computer either writing yesterday’s post, reading others’ or commenting around as I like to do, I forget now which. My quiet was shattered by loud shouting outside our open windows.
"Shut up!! Shut up!! Shaaadd UP!!," I heard.
I was startled and quickly turned to see what on earth was going on here on this peaceful end-of-the-street cul-de-sac. It was the elderly woman (I hesitate to call her lady) who just moved in next door over the weekend, screaming at the top of her lungs.
I was frightened and looked all around to see if I needed to go to her aid. She was on her way to her car by the curb out front and seemed in great distress.
But I saw no one about.
Then I realized what the commotion was all about. She has a little terrior dog about pint size who she was yelling "shut up" to over and over and over because he was barking from inside the other apartment in this duplex because he wanted to go with her, I presume.
I do not consider myself to be a particularly genteel, refined Southern belle. I’m more of a sturdy farm-girl type background, I’d say, strong as steel inside, with maybe, just maybe, a quiet facade that betrays my strengths. That’s how I’d characterize myself anyway.
I take a stand when it’s necessary and I stand firm. You can ask Tom or my kids or other people who know me well. I am quite fiesty when ruffled up with indignation and I strongly, but quietly, take my stand and I am not moved until resolution of the situation has come about.
But I have never in my life, to the best of my recollection, and again you can ask anyone who’s known me for very long, yelled, or even said, "shut up" to anyone. Not my husband, or my kids, or my mom (heaven forbid) or anyone on the phone or the three cats. No one under any circumstances.
Certainly I wouldn’t yell "shut up" to a little pet dog who was merely doing what dogs do – barking.
Tom and I have happy families. Very happy familiies I’d say. When we all get together in whatever groups, his and/or mine or both all together, we laugh and cut up and tell stories and have the best of times there are to have on earth.
I was looking forward to meeting this woman, our new neighbor. Now I’m wondering if she screams such at her little pet dog, what is she like with family members and children and such. How would she be with me if "offended."
Am I out of touch with the reality of the world do you think? Is this the "norm?" The way of the world? Do I live in a "dream world" of some kind to be truly upset by such behavior as yelling at anyone, even a little dog? I’m not even a big dog person. I’m a cat person, rather, but my solution is not have a dog as a pet. He was just being a little dog.
That’s been my pet peeve the past couple of days and I had to throw it out here, hopefully to get some responses. Maybe I’m the one who needs to be set straight, but I don’t think so. I hope not. If so, the world is in a lot more trouble than I thought.
I prefer the quiet life any time. Any of you care to join me?
First of all, I’m offended that you prefer cats over dogs. Let’s just get that out in the open. But I am also a person of impeccable character so that allows me to like you even though you have this obvious personality quirk about cats!
Second, I prefer a quiet life … unless I’m playing my guitar or drum set. Then I prefer loud.Third, my experience and observation in general is that people are becoming more and more obstinant and vulgar and louder. Hardly can one go to a restaurant out here and not be bombarded w/ profanity. And the people seem to have no shame! Fourth, there are many devious ways of making a neighbor want to sell out and leave the neighborhood, but you didn’t hear that from me!!Seriously, I believe strongly in "divine appointment" though I don’t see evverything in life as necessarily a divine appointment as some people seem to do. However, this very well may be a divine appointment that will turn out to be an incredibly wonderful experience for you, your neighbor, and – hopefully – the dog. I have a friend whose neighbors were into drugs, parties and having a rock band rehearse in the garage! He was exasperated and had tried everything to keep peace between them. All to no avail. Finally, he called the police. Still not much change. Eventually (over a year later), due to the drug abuse, the county of Los Angeles took away the children and the wife was distraught. My friend saw her crying uncontrollably in her driveway one day and asked what was the matter and could he help. Long story short, he offered for our elders/ministers to pray with them. He brought the entire family to our church on a Tuesday night where we laid hands on them and prayed over them for about a half hour. The wife, Kim, later told us they experienced power in that prayer. The entire family was eventually baptized and became a wonderful addition to our church family. They moved to Florida this summer but are still in recovery programs, very active with their new church family, and still growing in the Lord.Be patient with her and pray a lot! And be who you are no matter how she might act.
Yikes! I just read Bill’s blog about God Sightings … maybe there are more divine appointments than I am willing to give credit!
Well, don’t let Dee fool you, fair readers. I once crossed her about ALF — yes, that furry little muppet thing — and she ripped me apart. I’m actually surprised she does prefer cats over dogs, since ALF ate them and all. Nancy — the truth teller
Humm… Dee is not rising to the occasion to return my fire. Must I insult her beloved Tommy to get attention over here?
Nancy
I wouldn’t try it, Nancy. You ought to see what I did to my yelling neighbor who insulted her little pet dog! (Just kidding. I wouldn’t hurt a little old lady. . . . Well, unless she were insulting Tommy or something . . ..)
As for ALF and cats. We took precautions when we had three and named the middle one Gordon Shumway, remember? ALF’s real name on Melmac.
Cheers, Nancy! Dee
P. S. How are the book sales coming along? Got any at bargain prices yet so I can afford to buy one? I’m actually waiting to read it (or not, as the case may be) after Tommy writes his review. So you really need to be NICE to the boy in the meantime, Nance. I mean, he carries a lot of clout and so do I!
Cheers!
Ladies, Ladies.
My grandfather used to say: you can know the person by the way they treat their pets.
God’s Grace.
Update on the teeny pet dog next door:
He tried his best to come in our apartment when I got groceries earlier and I really wanted to let him in. No wonder – the woman was just hollering at him again to “get out of the d**n street.” Poor dog. He’s got to be part chihuahua if not full blooded.
I’ve got to pray about this. I’m having a hard time with this, y’all. Seriously. I feel like calling the dog police or something. But I’m trying to pray I can be a good neighbor and get to know the woman and why she’s so “mean.”
This is cracking me up…..I confess I have yelled at my dog to shut up when he is barking at armadillos at 2:00 in the morning….I know he thinks he is protecting me but really!
I am going to have to go with Greg on the cats over dogs thing though….really Dee, I wouldn’t have thought it of you….but then again, they are quieter!
cats rule dogs drool. I just had to say that. I like both, but a dog in the house isn’t a good think in my book…used to be…but not anymore.