The Jungle Next Door

I have found the advantage of the vacant house next door: it makes my own lawn look downright manicured.

But how long will the grass get before someone takes action?

With foreclosures growing, we're up to three on our block. In the winter, it wasn't such a big deal. The houses looked kind of peaceful with their undisturbed blanket of snow. I often shoveled the sidewalk next door because it was a quick job - what's another 10 minutes when I've been outside an hour? - and to help the numerous walkers around here. Nope, not being selfish at all with my walk to the train.

Now that spring has sprouted a jungle next door, though, there's a very clear line where my lawn - and my labor - ends and the property next door begins. Until Sunday, my dandelion population helped bridge the difference (the fallow land across the street sends a swarm of dandelion seeds my way), but especially since my second mow of the year, it's painfully obvious.

For now, I'll let live and be thankful that the one next door looks just overgrown and lush. But the second a tiger comes after me... I'm calling the city.