Every year on May 3rd and 4th my to
wn has an "Orchid festival" - the main events at the festival are a half marathon and a pig rodeo..... there is a small display of orchids, which hardly justifies naming the entire festival after them, but this is Japan and you wouldn't want to change the name of a festival just because it is no longer appropriate! Anyway, at this festival there are always the same groups who always sell the same food etc. I usually have to help out with the Green Tourism group and today we started our preparations by cutting up zillions of bamboo shoots, carrots and shitake mushrooms (and the end of my finger...) and boiling them all up so they are ready to mix with rice and sell at festival. As much as I'd love to suggest something new and exciting, it is sometimes simpler to continue to nod and bow and do the same thing year after year. Maybe next year I'll be brave and suggest something a little more exciting!After coming home from that exciting morning I retreated to the far side of the house to avoid having to watch my asparagus and strawberries being trampled, big poles thrown on them and generally being destroyed. I really hate feeling the way that I am feeling right now (I know I am out of line), but... my parents-in-law have taken it into their heads that we have to have a roof over the chicken house (I agree) and that it has to be done right now - and to their plans. Great - I should be feeling really grateful as it is something neither my husband nor I have the time or skills to do ourselves. The problem is that no matter how many times I ask them to consult us before actually doing things they seem to think they have to do it all themselves and therefore our ideas don't actually count. The main problem with this is that they are OUR chickens on OUR land at OUR house and it is US that has to look after them and therefore we have some ideas as to how we could make the best house for them etc. And then of course there is the issue of not caring about MY garden that I have spent years developing and that is now just being stood all over when there is no real need to do so!
Good to get that off my chest... not that it has solved the problem, but it is good to moan to someone other than my husband for a change! Thanks for reading all the way to the bottom of my moan for today... honestly I know I am out of line so I don't need anyone bashing me for it.... tomorrow will dawn bright and sunny and I will be feeling happy again - I'll even post pictures to prove it! Until then coffee and chocolate should be enough to brighten my evening!
I don't think you're out of line in being annoyed. The way I see it, they aren't really offering so much as imposing this roof on you. Yes, it needs to be done, like you said, but you're right. It's your coup, your chickens, your house. You should have a say in the design and execution. And frankly, there is no excuse for the trampling of your garden. You've obviously worked hard on it and for them to pay it no mind when they are doing something (without your consultation, no less) is unacceptable in my opinion. It sounds like a "better to seek forgiveness than ask permission" situations.
ReplyDeleteI think you are completely entitled to your rant!
why would anyone bash you? i had the same reaction last year when my PIL bought us 50 (!) little trees for OUR garden. ugh. breathe in, breathe out. rant away, sometimes it's better to just get it out there and away from you. i don't think anyone gets hurt, not in this situation. hope the roof works out. and your garden survives. :)
ReplyDeleteOhhh I feel for you!
ReplyDeleteI swear we're living parallel lives, the don't rock the boat traditions, the 'help' etc etc.
You really do have to just grin and bear it (and complain here!) sometimes, hey?
It's no consolation for the moment but the asparagus will bounce back next year...
ganbarre!