Last Tuesday the rain forced me back inside my house.
Some people couldn't understand why I was so upset about this fence. In fact, CJ said she wished her neighbor would have built one like that in her yard.
But CJ doesn't have a large covered porch she can sit on three seasons of the year, like I have.
Now, instead of seeing what my neighbors down the street are doing, this is what I get when I sit in my favorite chair on the porch. 
Look ahead (ignore the wind chimes in the rocking horse that fell about a month ago that I haven't had time to restring), 
appreciate the coffee I will gladly share, 
watch for cars coming or people walking, but you can't see them till they are near or nearly to your property. 
Look slightly to the left (which is south), 
farther to the left, 
and as far south as you (and I) can see from this chair (note the empty space where the wind chimes go) 
Now look all the way to the north past the other chair. Doesn't this make you feel terribly isolated?
The only good thing I can say about sitting on my front porch now 
is it forces me to focus on what little bits of nature is going on around me. Sadly, I'm not fond of being forced to do anything. Of course, if you get really bored you can count the number of wind chimes on my porch (answer is 13 currently hanging until I get the broken ones fixed).Now it's your turn to share your drink. I promise that no one is forcing you to do it, either. By now you also probably know the "rules," but in case you don't, please show something drink related. It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, tea cups, coffee mugs, a tea or coffee service, postcards, books, magazines, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, ATCs, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink. Please share below and Bleubeard and I, along with the rest of the T gang will be by to visit. Please link only your T post and not your blog in general. Old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday, and not just this year.
EDIT: Since several people have asked, no the owner didn't ask about putting up the fence. He also didn't get the property surveyed and I suspect it (or part of it) may be on my land. It is 8 ft tall.
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35 thoughtful remarks:
Sorry you're unhappy with the fence, it is rather ugly, I must admit. But you can still sit on your porch and enjoy your coffee, that's the main thing. It sounds like you have more than enough chimes without repairing the others! Happy T Day! Valerie
I totally understand how you are now very boxed in. I am so grateful for our lake views-it's amazing for us.
do you have hummingbirds there? you could draw in more birds with feeders and hummingbird nectar-they can be allot of entertainment If you like to watch squirrels throw out some cracked corn for them-they will also eat sunflower seeds on the ground too
I love your rocking horse Happy T hugs Kathy
I'm surpised your neighbors would or could construct that fence without consulting you, Elizabeth.
That sort of thing happens all the time here in Mexico. But you're not in Mexico! What is the U.S. comihg to?
We just planted passion flower vines along a chain link fence erectd by our neighbor on the lakeside. Oops, there goes a bit our lake view.
As our UK friends say, "Keep calm and carry on."
I love that grand rocking horse on your porch!
Happy T-Day! Hugs, Eileen xx
Ok that's makes a bit more sense because it obstructed your view...isolating you. That's a bummer. Its hard when the neighbors change something that you enjoyed but you have so say in the matter. That happened to us years ago in the backyard...they cut down a big beautiful willow tree and all of the privacy bushes on their side of their own fence. Then all we had to look at was the back of their house and the yapping dogs. They have moved on but the effect remains.
Elizabeth is that a real bird sitting on the branch of the tree again the fence?.. I had to ask that first! I'm surprised your neighbour has been allowed to erect that fence so near to the roadside, it looks like a safety hazard obstructing the vision of pedestrians and vehicles pulling out onto the road off the grass verge. I live in a terraced house, 20 years ago we all had new fences in our back gardens, they went from 4 feet to 6 feet tall, I loathed them at first but over time i've learned to love them.
Maybe you could paint a window on your side of the fence hee hee..
Happy T-Day, maybe one day I will come and share a cuppa with you Hugs Tracey x
I can see how this makes you feel closed in but it also gives you some great privacy. I just love that porch table of yours.
I would feel exactly like you dear! It was my first thought when I first saw it, although the raw wood does look ugly too it will weather and have plants against it soon enough! Can you reposition your chairs to look away from it? (Although it is STILL there!) If only he had not built it so high....maybe it will have an accident being so high!!! Happy T day! Hugs, Chrisx
I am not one to judge isolated because I live in the woods. There is a new house across the street from me and I really wish we had bought that land so there would be no house there. But oh well. Your porch does look like a great place to relax. I like how you decorated it and that big chair must be a great place to sit. I can see where the fence blocks your view. Hope it's a great T day. Hugs-Erika
So sorry for how you feel about the fence . It all depends on the neighborhood, the kind of neighbors you have, and how close they are....we have dealt with some seriously bad circumstances that have prompted large, high blocking fences. Not something I was ever in favor of but then again, sometimes necessary when you don't have the option to move.
We all jut have to do what is good for our well being.
I think your outside areas are quite nice:) Happy T day!
At least it is not an ugly chain link fence but it certainly extends very close to the road. You have a very nice porch and from what I can see, a very nice view. What a great place to sit and drink tea!
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
I'd face my chair the way I can see farther, I guess, and fill the fence with plants. Not much else you can do. :(
"Isolating" is the perfect description :( Did he erect this high barrier on both sides of his front yard? It's certainly not in keeping with the neighborhood's style. And it's not neighborly. Chain link might be considered ugly by some, but at least you can see through it. I've just never seen such a high board fence in a front yard, and I'm surprised the height isn't a code violation. When we were looking at houses I always looked to see if it had an unobstructed view of the street in both directions from the front door. It's just a thing with me, so I understand exactly how you feel.
I'll join you on that lovely porch for some tea, and we can discuss what he might think of a mural on your side ;) I do really like your plants there.
but at least you have an outside porch in the shade you can sit out on... I know the fence is ugly and blocks your view of the neighbourhood. Do you speak to the owner? Could you appeal to him to reduce the height at least? enjoy the coffee!
I really, really love your porch!
And I really hate that fence.
But, if that makes you feel better: At least you don´t have neighbours that close by as we have.
One couple often cooks with so much carlic it makes we gag and the kids scream on the top of their lungs for hours on end...
Now I see how the fence cuts off your view. But I still think the fence itself is attractive. I also like all of your wind chimes. (I'll have a future post about a wind chime that I resurrected. I have two more to fix / resurrect.) I love the rocking horse on your porch, too. Happy T-Day!
Super photos and wow love the gorgeous garden made more attractive by the fence and the wind chimes. Love wind chimes, and oh that rocking horse, wowowow.xxx
It was good to see the photos of the fence and read how you feel cut off. I'm used to high fences and hedges, with plenty of greenery, bushes and a tree by the neighbours fence. I have to admit , close to the house I don't look out for the actual fence any more, just see the green.
Your porch looks a lovely place to sit and it seems that you still have a good outlook in other directions
Did your neighbour ask you before he put it in position?
Tea day wishes Elizabeth, stay safe.
Yvonne xx
Hi Elizabeth,
I agree the fence does block your view, I think once you have some plants growing to hide it will hopefully not look so bad. I'm surprised your neighbour was allowed to build it as the gardens all seem to be open plan.
You do have a lovely porch to sit in and it looks a lovely shady place to read or watch the world go by.
Enjoy T day, have a lovely week
Jan x
It's good to see your lovely porch. I totally understand why you don't like it. It obscures the view. I'm sure you will soon plant some nice things in front of it. (Clematis? )
But I love your porch and I can imagine the sound of the wind chimes. It must be such a pleasure to sit there.
Yes, I spotted the robin in the pine tree. Gorgeous little chappie.
Wishing you a happy T-Day,
Lisca
The building code where we live definitely does not allow a fence that height and that proximity to the public sidewalk. Have you checked the code? It might not be worth impairing your relationship with the neighbor but if it was supposed to have a permit, you could force them to take it down. But of course codes vary throughout every state.
be well and enjoy your porch! ... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I seem to be in the minority. I like the privacy the fence affords. Your porch is such an oasis. The perfect spot to enjoy a beverage, listen to the windchimes, read, entertain friends all from the prying eyes of your neighbors. I don't think the fence is an eyesore. I've seen worse fences. As others have suggested, you can always plant something to lift your spirits when you look in that direction. Take care and Happy T Day.
Such a shame about the fence, I was surprised to see it as from my travels fences aren't that common in yards there in the US, not like here in the UK where every property seems to have fences or walls. It must be such a disappointment not to enjoy the view anymore and a shame that your neighbours didn't consult you before putting it up 😀. Once it has weathered and your roses grow I hope it gives you some relief from feeling so isolated! I loved seeing the robin in the tree, they seem to enjoy being in your garden. Take care and wishing you a Happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x
Good morning, Elizabeth. If you print pop-up menu has a check box for "Fit to Page" the page will automatiically be downsized. The clocks PDF was created on European size paper. Can't wait to see what you do with the clocks. Hugs, Eileen
I'd not expect him to ask you, to be honest. People here do what they want with their own property. But I'd call code enforcement if it were me, just to make sure he hasn't enclosed some of your property inside his 8' tall monstrosity. Without proper surveying there's no way it's exactly on that property line, and that could cause problems in the future.
Your porch looks like a nice place to enjoy the outdoors. It's a pity about the high fence.
The rocking horse is stunning. Enjoy your day Elizabeth :)
The fence is a bummer ~ I love your wind chime collection! Enjoy your feathered friends, and blessings on your week ~
Elizabeth; your front porch is awesome from all points of view. I wish that I could see what you do when I look outside; I don't think it's boxed in; just mom nature at her best { fence excluded } !! ☺☺♥♥
You are so observant, the tea on my post was darker than usual as it was the new Ceylon tea which is a black tea - I'm finding it's a great pick me up or maybe that was the chocolate mousse ... Ha ha 😀. Happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x
Yes, your view has certainly been limited...but be glad you don't have a teenage boy in the house next door roaring around his property on a four-wheeler, kicking up dust and revving the engine so loud we can't hear the television. Mr. Rogers did not prepare me for the people in MY neighborhood... I try not to be too angry about it. Sometimes it's hard though. At least he's not out vandalizing or doing something worse. That's what I tell myself, anyway. We all have one of THOSE neighbors, I think. I loved the glimpse of the bird in your little pine tree ( a robin?) and your flower 'bed.' Be thankful if you have a quiet street! lol, my first thought was to paint a mural on your side of the fence, but I guess that probably wouldn't go over too well. ;)
I love all the chimes you have and maybe you can turn something you dislike into something you will enjoy. You can't see the neighbours but maybe you can put up more bird feeders and use your creativity to make this block look more lovely. I know you can
I think your porch looks a great place to relax; I'd enjoy a cup of tea sitting there :)
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
email still iffy, but I forwarded one I sent Sunday again tonight.
Yvonne xx
It's so shady and pretty, Elizabeth. I think I would probably spend every morning out there before it got too hot or humid or maybe in the early evening. Love all those trees!
As you know, my mind is a little kooky, so I've gotta wonder why in the world did they put the fence up all of a sudden? Have they decided to sunbathe naked, are there illicit drug deals going on, did they take social distancing to the level of infinity?(lol) Inquiring minds just need to know.Yes, I would love to join you with a cup of coffee on your porch. It looks like it would be quite cool and cozy. Hugs, RO
You are very right when you say that the fence is horrible, because it is. Also, I think that your neighbor had to have consulted you to put it, he still needed an official permission from the city council, I don't know, mainly to see if it really is on his property, or yours. This is all a matter of respect and good coexistence. Sure, not everyone is respectful with other neighbors. Unfortunately.
Your porch is wonderful Elizabeth, and I looove your fantastic rocking horse, stunning.
Excuse me if I did not attend the tea party this week, I have had many things to do, and my son has gone to Granada this afternoon, where he studies, to bring all his things that he had in the rented apartment there, he has not been able to go before because you could not travel to another province till this week. Finally, many things pending to be solved.
I wish you a very happy weekend, and send big hugs,
Caty
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