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Fences Make Good Neighbors - Especially If You Stop and Chat

By
Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

The Pleasures of Living With Nature Not Neighbors

One of our favorite features of our Camas home in the country (besides the view) is the privacy.  We don’t have neighbors looking over our back yard or parked out front.  There is a lot of room between homes up here, and it provides a serene sense of calm.  

 

This doesn’t mean we don’t like people - we really love people - and especially love getting to know our neighbors. If we’re out working in the yard and we see someone out in their field, we’ll sometimes stop by the fence line just to chat and catch up on what’s happening in their lives. It’s a nice break from work, and we’ve gotten to know some very nice people that way.

 

One neighbor in particular - Brian - has always been very friendly, but polite and reserved.  We never worry about him dropping in on us unannounced or being intrusive.  He’s our favorite “fence chatter” neighbor.

 

So it was surprising the other day when the door bell rang, and I opened to see Brian standing there.  He had a wooden bowl in his hand - I didn’t recognize it as ours. So I asked if one of his dogs might have found it and brought it home to him. Instead, he handed me the bowl and said “Here, I just made this.”  A solid applewood bowl, fresh off the lathe in his woodworking studio.  “Hand polished with food-grade oil, so you can use it right away!” he added. 

 

“Wow”, I said, not knowing what else to say. “This is beautiful.”  

He shrugged, “I’m also turning some candlesticks out of maple blocks for the neighbors up above.”  He quietly left, heading towards the fence.

 

“Thank you” I called to him, and he just waved.  His neighborly act was complete - his handcrafted gift a pleasant surprise that made my day.  They say “fences make good neighbors”, but I would add - “especially if you stop and chat awhile!”

If you'd like to learn more about ViewHomes of Clark County, Nature Not Neighbors, contact us at Harcourts The Carl Group

Posted by


Debb Janes  Bernie Stea
Brokers/REALTORS®
Call or Text 360-608-4900

We help buyers and sellers in Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie/Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Felida, and other Vancouver, Washington Areas. 


We bring our passion for nature and beautiful environments to Real Estate. Multigenerational and family estates, country land and homes, and small farmsteads are our speciality.


We agree with our clients, "The true luxury of rural living is having elbowroom for the soul.

 

Comments (55)

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

So true.  I have always found it amazing how many neighbors never show up at the neighbor's house until you have an open house - and the sellers are not home!

Nov 19, 2015 02:05 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

That bowl is gorgeous!  That kind of unannounced visit is always welcome!

Nov 19, 2015 04:08 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Unfortunately in the world we live in today that simple kind gesture isn't commonplace anymore. What a nice neighborly gift from Brian. 

Nov 19, 2015 06:10 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Debb Janes 

What a beautiful bowl and a very nice sentiment about neighbors. When first reading your post, my mind was flashing back to "Home Improvements" to the neighbor on the other side of his fence. We couldn't see his face for years!

Nov 19, 2015 12:25 PM
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

What a wonderful surprise and sounds like the kind of neighborhood that we would all enjoy!

Mar 12, 2016 01:26 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Debb, what a sweet post!  I can only imagine what it's like to live like this - my home is a 100-year old row house with crazy neighbors all around.  

Mar 12, 2016 01:44 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

What a great story.  And what a beautiful bowl. I just love it.

Mar 12, 2016 03:10 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Debb. What a lovely post and wonderful surprise. A really beautiful bowl too.

Mar 12, 2016 09:43 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

What a sweet and unexpected gift! Your neighbor is sharing his talents. Thoughtful and considerate.

Mar 12, 2016 10:47 PM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Hello Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD 

What a lovely post (and bowl!)  You can meet the nicest people on the other side of your fence 

Mar 12, 2016 11:04 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

This is getting new life, I must check to see who to thank for the reblog- and thank you for the new comments. D 

Mar 12, 2016 11:48 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey, Debb!  I included this post in today's Last Week's Favorites.  Have a happy Spring Forward!

 

Mar 12, 2016 11:55 PM
Debb Janes

Just found it Patricia. Thanks again. No problem Springing forward so far - slept till 7AM instead of popping out of bed at 6AM Ha. 

Mar 12, 2016 11:58 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Debb and Bernie

What a wonderful gesture, and a great neighbor to have.

Homes are pretty close here, so often the neighborly exchange is out in the drive or the mailbox.

Jeff

Mar 13, 2016 12:25 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

That is a very special neighbor.  None of mine have special abilities except for over talking

Mar 13, 2016 11:47 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

What a beautiful gift; unexpected and perfect. That's a neighbor I'd like to have!

Mar 13, 2016 08:50 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

It's beautiful! What a nice neighbor you have...and he does as well in you. 

Mar 14, 2016 01:15 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Somehow I missed this one Debb- what a beautiful bowl - the wood is gorgeous and totally befitting of your world - sounds like you both lucked out when it comes to good neighbors!

Mar 19, 2016 12:27 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

You're all way awesome and I'm sure you are wonderful people to have as neighbors. D 

Mar 19, 2016 01:57 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

What a lovely surprise. We are blessed to have great neighbors in our neighborhood.

Sep 04, 2016 02:33 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

What a gorgeous bowl -- you'll think of Brian and smile every time to use it. That's exactly how we'd like our clients and friends to feel about us.

Sep 28, 2016 01:55 AM