I want your cherries. I want your figs. I want your blueberries and raspberries, too. Every summer I watch them grow, ripen, and rot in front of your house. They’re growing over the public sidewalk and, in some cases, in that little patch of garden between the sidewalk and the road. You aren’t harvesting them. I never see you out there picking them, enjoying them, sharing them. In so many cases, ignored, unless some lucky birds or critters get them. You planted the tree or bush or aesthetic purposes, so you can have a lush, bountiful garden. And for what? Those blueberries are plump as fuck!
So… can I have them? Are they free for the taking? Would it be so hard to put a little sign out front that says, “Help yourself!” so they don’t go to waste? I want to be a good neighbor and respect your property and your space, but I also want those figs. There are literally hundreds. Help a neighbor out. Let the people pick ‘em if you’re just going to let them go to waste.
Do you need to get something off your chest? Submit an I, Anonymous and we’ll illustrate it! Send your unsigned rant, love letter, confession, or accusation to ianonymous@thestranger.com. Please remember to change the names of the innocent and the guilty.
Passive aggressive Seattle at its finest. Maybe just ask the person. I know, so radical.
@1,
I wouldn’t even bother doing that and would just grab some and eat. They said at least some are hanging out over the sidewalk, those are totally fair game. And I wouldn’t go wandering deep onto their property or anything, but plucking a couple from branches a feet inland is also totally fine.
I’d vote for the resident HOPING someone will come along and harvest all that lovely fruit. Go for it, Eddie! You could even leave a home made card and hang it on a branch saying how much you appreciate the lucious and juicy booty.
Agree with @1. Knock on the door; it’s not illegal. I mean, sure, you might get shot…
Yeah, this is just dumb. Knock on the f’n door if you need to go on their lawn. If they say no, then it’s no. Otherwise, they might say yes, and you might get to know them. God forbid you talk to someone.
Oh, I do love how stupid this is — just saying.
I agree with this article.
Just give us permission to eat the fruit you aren’t going to. Don’t make us ring your doorbell, write a note, or make us feel like criminals for sneaking a piece of your fruit. Be a good neighbor and let everyone off the hook.
Just say YES.
The ‘planting strip’ is fair game.
Talking to neighbors: priceless.
JAYZUSSS! Just ask!! I get to glean POUNDS of berries, figs and apples from my MERCER ISLAND Neighbors because I…..wait for it….ASKED!!! The neighbors were so friendly and actually appreciated my gleaning. They got some nice jars of blueberry jam, apple butter and fig spread for it.