Dust Removal

@stuartk 

That's some of the finest advice and way of looking at life I've heard. You've adapted to your surroundings ensuring your survival and safety. 

I grew up in a time when the neighbors on both sides of my parents house could just walk right in, as well as we in theirs. We'd have summer water fights that involved an entire block or two. We could always count on each other for that emergency ride to the hospital of if the car broke down, a ride to the supermarket or school event.

My dad used to work at the studios and he'd bring home 16mm versions of movies and TV shows. He'd set up in the driveway with a big pull down screen and spool the film up in the projector. My mom would make the popcorn, hot dogs and set out the chips and sodas along with the seating. When the sun went down, the neighbors would all gather round and we'd watch the shows. 

Now it's every man for themselves and who can be the local warlord. They'd laugh at the notion of any kind of social contract unless they are the ones dictating it, regardless of how you feel about it.

Sounds like you'd be a great neighbor.

All the best,
Nonoise

The dust storms in the California desert are just awful. They are bad enough to ruin the paint on cars! With that and five dogs in the house, I had to sweep and vacuum everyday.

On the other topic, when I got up here to my sister’s house in S. Washington she had a lawn sign that proclaimed "Black Lives Matter". I don’t believe in subjecting others to your unsolicited opinions (some here may find that claim specious ;-), and took it down.

Beside getting way from the desert dust, my new listening room sounds fantastic, and the neighborhood is the quietest I’ve ever lived in. Plus there are lots of great local record stores, good sounding small music venues (this past Wednesday I saw Joe Henry live in a beautiful old church in Portland), and cool weather. Those 115-120 degree days in the desert got to be real old!

These people are driving up and down your private road? Are they also residents of the private road? If not, I would be considering a gate and appropriate signage. I totally understand the points you've made but surely there comes a limit to what one must tolerate of those who cannot see beyond what directly influences them.

@nonoise

I remember how things used to be, as you describe. I suppose every generation tends to believe things were better "back in the day" but the evaporation of what was once called " common courtesy" is truly lamentable.

At the same time, I believe it’s critical these days to resist the impulse to place others in "either/or" categories, because that just feeds polarization. They become "one of those people" -- we cease to regard them as individuals, which, in my experience, does not support positive interactions or understanding.

@bdp24

I agree re: such signs. They are not going to change anyone’s mind who disagrees. "F**k Biden" flags and signs are common in these parts and in other areas, there are signs proclaiming homeowner’s liberal views. This is a touchy subject, though and I would never suggest how anyone else ought to handle it!

We live in the Sierra Foothills at around 3000" and the soil is extremely fine. In the summer, it’s like red talcum powder (high iron content), although not as red as say, Sedona. Anyway, we put a "please drive slowly when dusty" sign and many just speed right past, training great plumes of dust. Because it’s so fine, it can drift a surprisingly distance.

@51514brad

These people are driving up and down your private road? Are they also residents of the private road? If not, I would be considering a gate and appropriate signage. I totally understand the points you’ve made but surely there comes a limit to what one must tolerate of those who cannot see beyond what directly influences them.

Yes they do and no, they aren’t. For various reasons, a gate isn’t practical. Some of us have complained to the Sherriff’s dept. to no avail. And the law protects trespassers. If someone rides their dirt-bike on my property and gets hurt, I’m liable. There are folks around here who simply enjoy antagonizing others and there’s not a whole lot we "others" can do about it, unless we’re willing to risk incarceration. This is part of a trend -- what was once called "license" is now regarded as "freedom", as in "It’s my right to do whatever I please with no regard for others".

In 2012 an old friend and I drove from L.A. to Austin, to look at the housing market there. All across Texas the lawn signs read "Romney For President" until we approached Austin, at which time the signs read "Obama" for same. Texas is bipolar 😊 .

On the way back a Texas Ranger pulled me over for speeding (everybody drives at least 80 mph in L.A.), and he was quite a bit more pleasant than are California Highway Patrolmen. He let me go with a warning.