Little white lie about my backyard bees

[Bakersdozen]

Weeell, I stooped to a new low but I think I was justified.   
Our lawn mower has been in the shop.  All this rain has produced a jungle out there.  A few days ago there was a knock at the door.  "Do you need your lawn mowed?"  Said a young man standing there with his girl friend, lawn mower and gas can.  The girl friend had a baby bump.  "How much?" I ask.  "$10 to do the front.  Another $10 to do the back./i] A very low offer, but I said I would pay him $10 to just do the front.  Girl friend pipes up that she would clean the house too if I wanted.  "I'm good." I replied.  I went back in the house and locked the door while he started on the front. 

A few minutes later I went back out with the money.  It doesn't take long to mow the front.  The girl friend drops hints about how cold she is, like she would like to come inside.  She is setting on the front steps, smoking a cigarette next to the gas can!  I talk to her outside while he mows.  It doesn't take long to realize that these two are probably meth heads (judging by their teeth and that she is "spacing out" while I talk to her.)

The guy finishes the front.  "You sure you don't need the back mowed?" (Here's my white lie) "Oh, no.  I have honey bees back there.  You don't want to mow back there.  My husband won't even do it!  I have to do the mowing back there."

The look on their faces as they spotted the hive boxes was proof enough that they believed me.

The conversation ended with the guy asking if I had anything for a toothache.  He was in pain and couldn't get to a dentist.     "Sorry, I don't think I even have an aspirin."  They disappeared into thin air after that.  At least I got the front lawn mowed at a fair price. 

[Perry]

You may have been fortunate that was all that happened from the sounds of things. Good on you for being careful, yet helpful.

[Riverrat]

Its sad to see people especially young kids drag themselves down in the meth.  Glad you could help but Im sure the money will go into their habit.

[LazyBkpr]

I think you did well too..
   We dont get much trouble like that here..  Usually the first or second person calls the mayor, he calls the PD, and they show up and ask questions...    normally they vanish into thin air after that.
   If that doesnt work, we have a gate across our driveway with a sign that says no tresspassing.. if they get past that I let the dobermans out..  If they decide to brave the barking dobies who wouldnt harm anyone, I step out the door shotgun in hand. "Can you read?"
   Ugly fat white redneck with shotgun... yep, time to leave!

[Jen]

Good story Baker    we get that in our part of town as well. Seems to come in waves. I kindly tell them that I'm not interested, then suggest visiting the house next door mentioning that the county sheriff and his wife the probation officer live there. What really helps is when Mr. neighbor is on duty and his law inforcement car is parked outside ~ Yep! The vanish thing 

[Papakeith]

sounds to me like it was a lie worth telling. 

[riverbee]

bakers.......meth heads.
i am gonna follow with what rat said, and more, the money ten bucks? it may go back to the habit, lol, not much towards the habit, but they weren't looking for that... biggest is the guise of mowing your lawn. they weren't interested in the 10 bucks you paid them to mow the lawn, it was their foot in your door, do you understand what i am saying? they were looking to see what you had in the house. (and taking it then or coming back for it later). they were sizing you up and sizing the layout and info..........here are the clues:

well the first clue is a guy showing up with a  lawnmower, gas can, and a pregnant wife girlfriend or accomplice?. maybe someone he promised money/drugs to to come with him to get your sympathies.   also let me suggest that this was taken note of (he or they have been by your house and paid attention to this)  ie again a way into your house and information.

Girl friend pipes up that she would clean the house too if I wanted

The girl friend drops hints about how cold she is, like she would like to come inside.

You sure you don't need the back mowed?

The conversation ended with the guy asking if I had anything for a toothache. 

you take care bakers, disappeared into thin air? maybe, just be watchful. 

[Bakersdozen]

I agree river!  I think they did want a foot in the door if it was open to them.  I don't think they are transient, which is good.  That was one of the reasons for talking with the girl friend.  I found out approximately where they live.  A city worker came by on a trash truck and waved hello at the guy.  So, he is has been in the neighborhood a while.  Later that day I saw him a couple of blocks away with the lawn mower and another guy.  So, I wasn't the only target, if I was at all.  I commented that a car parked out front belonged to my step son and that he was at home so they knew I was not alone.  I feel like they came up short on cash and were out hustling to make a buck (for what ever reason).  Had it snowed, they might have been out with a snow shovel.

Although my house is visible on all four sides, because it sets up next to a city park, the back yard is fenced in.  Letting the meth couple in my backyard felt a little too close and vulnerable.

For those that have expressed thoughts that I was generous I would say, "Nah!"     We did need the lawn mowed.  We have the mower back from the shop.  Now it needs to quit raining and dry out enough to be able to mow.

[efmesch]

RiverRat said it so well-----it's such a sad story.  What fate lies ahead for the Baby that's born to this couple.  Maybe it's more than sad, just thinking about them is depressing.

[Jen]

Ya know Ef... I see that scenario as well. But I also know some pretty astounding stories from children who were raised in these circumstances. Stories where these youngsters rise like the pheonix from the flames. Let's cross our fingers for this little one to have strong wings 

[Bakersdozen]

Oh Jen with the rose colored glasses on.  Sometimes they do.  Sometimes they end up as clients where I work. 

[Jen]

I like my rose colored world. But I'm savvy to the world of school and wayward children. I've worked a few years as a teachers aid in different schools in small towns where there was soo much inner breeding, a good many of the kids didn't know who their true parents were... and didn't care... and neither did the parents.

Then, some of these kids moved on up into the local high school, survived it, then gained a college education or started their own businesses. I love 'against all odds' stories 

[Gypsi]

The meth heads in my neighborhood don't knock on my door. I know who they are, where they live, who their parents are or who their friend's parents are, or which mechanic shop they work for. 

The granddaughter of the lady across the street has straightened out a few times, she is about to have child number 5. The older 2 were taken by CPS and adopted out, she lost number 3 at birth, grandmother had him from the day her hospital drug test came back dirty, still has him.  She has number 4, and is looking about 4 months pregnant.  She lives in a house her dad owns next to grandma, is around 26 pretty girl, never had a job in her life, her family supports her.  Since CPS has her number I think she is clean right now.

If I have someone mow here it is one of my guys off my pond crew. or a son in law. I let one neighbor mow the front yard once, he wanted $20 and it isn't that big and he didn't edge it.

If I have anyone help me move a piece of furniture in it is my 78 year old neighbor, a guy off the pond crew or a daughter, sil.  No neighbors allowed in house under the age of 75 or over the age of 12. (grandkids have been known to invite all the kids over lol.)

[riverbee]

"I like my rose colored world. But I'm savvy to the world of school and wayward children. I've worked a few years as a teachers aid in different schools in small towns where there was soo much inner breeding, a good many of the kids didn't know who their true parents were... and didn't care... and neither did the parents."

just a comment jen about what you said..........children born and raised in unfortunate circumstances and sometimes under other circumstances may not know who their parents are, but....they  do 'care' and they do want to know, and they want to know the why's and they want answers to their questions. 
also, what do you mean by 'inner breeding'? 

[Bakersdozen]

The meth heads in my neighborhood don't knock on my door. I know who they are, where they live, who their parents are or who their friend's parents are, or which mechanic shop they work for. 

No rose colored glasses on Gypsi.  Glad to hear you know who is who in your neighborhood. 

[Slowmodem]

No rose colored glasses on Gypsi.

We used to sing Rose Colored Glasses when I had the nightclub years ago.  I remember messing with the singer (I harmonized on rare occasions), by singing, "cause they hide all of you."  I was quite a mess back then (still am to a certain degree).

[Gypsi]

I have 5 good sized dogs, the biggest 2 are in the house when I am gone, and they are not crated.  It is not fun keeping an eye on the neighborhood but years ago things got out of hand at my house in town and I had to start a crime watch to chase the gangs out because no one else would....  This is MUCH easier.