You can’t tell dill from parsley without the store labels, and the only berries you’ve seen are in jam!” – Grumbled the Offended Neighbor

“You cant even tell dill from parsley unless its labeled in the shop! And I bet youve only seen berries in jam!” grumbled the offended neighbour.

Valerie and William had arrived at their countryside cottage. Theyd bought it in autumn and now aimed to tidy everything up. The house itself was lovelywinter-readybut the garden and the rest of the property needed plenty of work.

The old orchard required serious attention. A new sauna had already been ordered and would arrive in a weekthey just had to pick the spot. They also planned a laundry shed beside it, a woodshed, and a gazebo. Their children had promised to visit and lend a hand.

“Its peaceful here,” William remarked. “We could live here year-round now were retired.”

“Ive checked the cellaronly the door needs replacing,” he added.

Valerie inspected the back veranda. “Remember we talked about a gazebo? Pointless. The verandas got that big round table and those antique chairs. A bit of polish, and theyll last another century. Plus, the view of the gardenperfect for tea.” She frowned. “Feels like someones been inside recently, though. The back door needs changing too.”

“New doors first, then the backyard. Out of sight from the road, but still lovely. The front? Just lawn and flowers.”

“Perennials are already coming upjust need figuring out where. Maybe some replanting, but not this summer.”

A week later, the sauna arrived, and the children came. The garden transformation began. The neighbour dropped by, her grandkids darting around.

“Got grandchildren of your own?” she asked.

“Theyll visit,” Valerie replied.

“Why such a tall fence? None of us bothered with boundaries before!”

“No fence? We just tore the old one downit was crumbling. We like things tidy. And dont worry, its exactly on the property line.”

“No gate between us? The kids always cut through here.”

“Not anymore. Front entrance only.”

“But the apple trees! The children loved climbing them!”

“Pruned, not chopped. New ones planted too. Your grandkids can climb yours.”

“Everythings new with you. Why bushes along our fence?”

“For beauty!”

The neighbour kept returning with fresh complaints, her grandkids trampling the garden until new gates went up.

“Youve settled in properly,” she remarked later. “Staying through winter?”

“Well see.”

“Why shut the gates? The kids always played football heresafe, flat. The roads dangerous!”

“My fronts all flowerbeds, not a wasteland like yours. Cant tell dill from parsley without a label, can you? Berries only in jam! Be friendly if you want favours.”

“The gates stay shut. And keep your grandkids out. Two days ago, they let our hens loosestill missing.”

“Youve got chickens? So youre staying?”

“We already are.”

By late August, they celebrated Williams birthday. Family gatheredmen grilling, women setting the veranda table.

The neighbour barged in. “Here we are! Just dropping by, neighbourly-like. Kids knew straight offparty smells!”

“We didnt invite you. Family only.”

“Oh, thatll change! Kidsll grow up togethermight even marry!” She laughed, ignoring hints to leave. Her grandkids shook fruit trees, scaled the sauna roof, then hurled decorative stones into the inflatable pool. Water gushed out moments later.

“Autumns comingpools due packing anyway,” the neighbour shrugged.

“Time you left.”

“But the kids are hungry! All that runningcome, everyone, dig in!”

The party was ruined. But a week later, family returned for Valerie and Williams 35th anniversary.

This time, someonetheir seven-year-old grandsonbolted the gate. Knocking went ignored. The scent of barbecue mingled with cool evening air.

“Whens your city return?” someone asked.

“Well see. Autumn firstharvests good. We love it here aside from her. But weve learned to handle that.”

Laughter followed.

Guests left; the couple stayed. Autumn, then winter lay ahead. Theyd try. If not, their city flat waited.

As for the neighbour? School loomedher daughter needed help. Valerie and William exhaled in relief. Some neighbours

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