Bayshore Boulevard homeowner softens stance, clears path for pedestrians - Tampa Bay Times

You are so right, Suckerfish. I had a neighbor that wanted me to cut down my dogwood trees because he said they were causing his house to mold. The dogwood trees were 20 feet from his house. Up next to his house was an evergreen tree, thick and overgrown rhododendrons. The air space between the houses was taken up by his plants, not mine. I questioned him about this and he backed off. Then he didn't like my shade trees in the back yard. I kept the branches cut so they didn't bother his property but he raised a fuss with my landlord and I came home from work one day to find an Ash and a Maple cut to the ground. The shade garden was destroyed due to the beating sun. The spotlight on the apartment next to us that was once blocked by the trees glowed brightly in the night and the heat was relentless. I left for the island the next spring and when I returned to visit my daughter still living in the house the neighbor had allowed his garden to encroach into our yard eight feet.

Yep, those that are only into themselves and their wants and needs can be a huge bother for everyone else.

Moving to the Big Island of Hawaii has done wonders, Suckerfish. Kailua Kona has around 10,000 residents and although there is the usual traffic and glitches now and then it is nothing compared to what I knew in the city. My neighbors are for the most part great, keep to themselves, are friendly yet not invasive or griping all of the time. I have a great view of the ocean and lots of area to plant whatever I like. I find this mighty fine living.

...they just pick-up and move further behind the concrete walls.

That's the kind of attitude that is making me get my passport right now. Where will I go and WILL I go? I have no idea. But I want to make sure I can if I need to.

I was in the "Resort" area on the island on Sunday. Everything is all locked up and secure and sterile. The people don't seem to know how to act like humans, although they kind of try. Give the country and wide open spaces and get me away from the uber rich and rat races!

The people might not be the most worldly here but they are very sweet and the crime rate is very low. The druggies keep to themselves in an area isolated down south so that's respectable of them. That's were the most crime happens and it usually involves stealing each other's stuff. Once in a while someone gets picked off but not a lot. It keeps the bounty hunters and bondsmen employed and that's good for the economy. Heck, living here in comparison to the big city is delightful. Whatever happens is small peanuts compared to what I've experienced most of my life. This is a touchy feely artsy fartsy place or a poi eating Hawaiian lullaby and I can live with this quite well. The hooty who types stick to their niches so the rest of us are left alone.

I helped a friend financially so I'd be hard pressed to afford to walk anywhere right now, Suckerfish. lol Here's the deal, it doesn't cost much more than living on the mainland if you've learned to be frugal. The rents are about the same and the only killer utility is the electric which soaks me around $300 a month for the very basic of needs. There are farmer's markets everywhere so fresh produce isn't a problem, the same if you like fish. I think for the adventuresome it is a great place to live but for those that must dine out, go on expensive outings and all that there would be a strain on the pocketbook. I'm one that likes to take hikes, hit the beach and wander around and this doesn't cost a whole lot to do. I have my plants and can be outdoors as much as I like. I love photography and this place never lets me down. Getting here is the only expensive part or trying to get off of the island. There are sacrifices but for me it has been worth it all.

We grope through the dark also. Thank goodness for the street light outside or we'd have bloody noses too. We don't have a television so no power wasted there. We use small energy saving lights, an occasional fan and of course have a refrigerator and stove. Hawaii's electric costs are 70% higher than the mainland. However, our water bills are lower. E-gad, gouge city...all of them.

Most of the snotty ones are already living in hell as no one wants to play with them and do what they want them to do.

As a single mom on a very limited income my children learned the value of appreciating everything for its value. They aren't swayed by someone's bank roll or the promise of celebrity glitz and in fact find this silly and frivolous. They pretty much embrace all for their soul value and the wad of dough is not going to turn their heads.

My daughter told me about a guy that came into the restaurant and loudly announced, "I'm going to be spending a lot of money tonight so I want you to treat me right" to which she answered, "Sir we treat everyone right no matter how much they spend for an evening and we appreciate your patronage" then she said she wanted to add, "Knock yourself out". lol

This song by Sade tells a story that touches my soul so deeply that I grieve every time I hear it yet it is my all time favorite. It is a story that we could all learn valuable lessons from and rejoice even our most meager of existences. I am sure you will relate to this. I simply believe some have denied their souls a voice and this keeps them from having even the tiniest of compassion for others.

http://youtu.be/eDMg8M4HmnQ

I can't imagine how it would to live on the Mainland right now, SuckerFish. Our news is not the best and so all the information I receive is online. Sometimes I wonder why I bother to read or listen to such blather but I'm hooked and so that's it. However, when the world around me gets to me all I have to do is go out on the lanai and gaze at the ocean. This is very soothing and takes the edge off of reality as it is at present.

If I find you on the beach I'll only offer you a drink of water and a place to crash, I promise. I won't bug you until you can be bugged a bit once again. How's that?