Meeting my bonsai neighbor

[vesper818]

Panda, youre on Pacific time. This is the perfect time to be out on a stroll, or putteringin the garden with the trees. Just go go and knock, nice evening, noticed your bonsai the fence etc
Before sundown you could have a new friend!

Id be delighted if someone asked me!

 

[pandacular]

I also keep coming back to this thread for the meeting story and the twist that their neighbor is an actual ‘Nut also!

I considered the possibility, it will be very funny if it happens.

I really wish I had a little mame, go bring it in a "show me yours..." kinda way. I was busy with a lot of home stuff, but maybe tomorrow afternoon.

 

[hemmy]

I considered the possibility, it will be very funny if it happens.

I really wish I had a little mame, go bring it in a "show me yours..." kinda way. I was busy with a lot of home stuff, but maybe tomorrow afternoon.

Invite them to your garden. A little accent pot is a nice gift.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Maybe the person in question is reading this thread and patiently waiting with coffee and cake.
I got my first bonsai as a 8 year old kid, after ringing the doorbell when I saw those cool plants in this guy's window sill. The man was super cool about it and donated one of his to me.
I absolutely murdered that plant. I still need to go back and give him a pot, but it's been 24 years.
He still lives in the same house, and probably doesn't remember.. I hope. Because I kind of left him in the dark.
Some day I'll get the courage to go over there.

 

[R0b]

Maybe the person in question is reading this thread and patiently waiting with coffee and cake.
I got my first bonsai as a 8 year old kid, after ringing the doorbell when I saw those cool plants in this guy's window sill. The man was super cool about it and donated one of his to me.
I absolutely murdered that plant. I still need to go back and give him a pot, but it's been 24 years.
He still lives in the same house, and probably doesn't remember.. I hope. Because I kind of left him in the dark.
Some day I'll get the courage to go over there.

I am sure he will be delighted If you come over. Probably he is a bit older now and you might not have the opportunity in 10 years from now as it is raining today is a good day (no it is not me).

 

[KateM]

Very confusing, especially since my avatar pic is clearly a painting.

I am very hot of course; not a woman, but not afraid of men either

That's why I use my real fist name, so people won't think I am a cat.

 

[hemmy]

Thank you for clarifying! LOL. I am, however, a tree.

 

[vesper818]

Maybe the person in question is reading this thread and patiently waiting with coffee and cake.
I got my first bonsai as a 8 year old kid, after ringing the doorbell when I saw those cool plants in this guy's window sill. The man was super cool about it and donated one of his to me.
I absolutely murdered that plant. I still need to go back and give him a pot, but it's been 24 years.
He still lives in the same house, and probably doesn't remember.. I hope. Because I kind of left him in the dark.
Some day I'll get the courage to go over there.

You may have killed the tree, but he started the love for bonsai growing in you.
Plant one of your trees in the pot and show him the result of kindness to a little boy. It would mean much to both of you.

 

[August44]

it's silly, but I almost wanted to wait to say hi until I was more proud of my trees. Which actually has happened, but not because they're better, just because I've seen how much work they are just to look okay.

If I still lived in the Midwest, I would 100% knock on his door, but people are a little different out here. I might still get up the nerve to do it, but I think a note leaves the ball more in their court, so to say.

I would absolutely NOT leave a note. That is a bit creepy IMO. Just walk up to the door and say Hi

 

[rodeolthr]

@pandacular "Seattle Freeze" is a real thing and directly responsible for people leaving the area after relocating here for work. But it seems to have gotten better in the 17 years we've been here with the influx of more and more people from elsewhere. I suggest that you just keep being you, and go say hello to your neighbors. Be the change et al!

 

[bonsaiwood]

I might still get up the nerve to do it, but I think a note leaves the ball more in their court, so to say.

A note might be taken as evasive and impersonal to some, which then creates a weird expectation your neighbor may not be willing to fulfill without having personally met you. If they seem like harmless folk, maybe offer them a small plant in a pot- great way to start a conversation.

 

[OrenjiIroNoNeko]

That's why I use my real fist name, so people won't think I am a cat.

Some of us might actually be a cat, the jury is still out.

"Orenji-iro no neko Bonsai"

 

[Cajunrider]

That's why I use my real fist name, so people won't think I am a cat.

My fists don't want me to call their names out. Every time that happens there is usually at least a kerfuffle. They told me they have retired.

 

[KateM]

My fists don't want me to call their names out. Every time that happens there is usually at least a kerfuffle. They told me they have retired.

Took me awhile... I really need to start reading over what I am writing. On the other hand not too shabby for a cat. Meow-meow.

 

[thatdirtykid]

Maybe the person in question is reading this thread and patiently waiting with coffee and cake.
I got my first bonsai as a 8 year old kid, after ringing the doorbell when I saw those cool plants in this guy's window sill. The man was super cool about it and donated one of his to me.
I absolutely murdered that plant. I still need to go back and give him a pot, but it's been 24 years.
He still lives in the same house, and probably doesn't remember.. I hope. Because I kind of left him in the dark.
Some day I'll get the courage to go over there.

I would wager he remembers, you were likely the only kid to ever ring his bell asking about his trees, something he seemed passionate about and was excited to share. This thread may just need to be the boost to get you back to his door ringing the bell with no worries like you did as a kid.


As someone who is socially avoidant myself I would respond much better to someone knocking on the door. A note, while I would love to talk to a person with similar interests is easier to ignore or procrastinating responding, which the longer without responding the more awkward I would feel about trying.
Knock on the door and my old service industry politeness comes out which helps settle the nerve until genuine me is present. It's really odd the self awareness that life's curveballs and some age can reveal...

 

[dancing with butterflies]

Yup Just knock on the door very politely ask about the trees and start a conversation and vola you have a new friend.

 

[LeatherTree23]

Definitely, it's a weird world we live in. When I first moved here, I introduced myself to all my neighbors on my floor in my apartment building. Half of them practically slammed the door on me (well not quite, but that's what it felt like). The neighborhood I'm living in now is quite different, and I know most of my neighbors on my block.

I love how common the weed to bonsai pipeline is. This is how my teacher started out too.

I suppose it's not that clear from my initial post, but I was mostly joking around asking this. I do think it would be funny to write a letter though.

Ummm…your teacher didn’t spend 14 years in the medical weed industry did she? If so, we might have the same teacher….
Also, people here in WA state can be very odd BUT take a deep breath and reach out. It’s nerve racking (wracking?) but worth it. Also @rodeolthr was very nice to me. Just saying’!

 

[pandacular]

Funny you should mention both Maria and @rodeolthr. After I bought a few maples, I actually introduced them to one another, hoping that Maria could sell them at her store. I hope they worked something out, as that would be a really great connection!

And ya, Kevin was great to show me around his garden when I went to pick up the maples. Those things kick-ass!