I think it's important to note that @Kendrah is not asking them to forgo using the fire pit - but just send her a quick text so she can close her windows

wouldn't it have been easier to just talk with them in person?

Daniel Tiger says count to four.

Close windows once you smell it. Kind of ridiculous to expect our neighbours to give us a heads up on their every move in their own yard.

I understand....... but it does remind me of a neighbor who didn't like the sound of my AC on a summer night, asked me to please refrain from AC in the evening, as it disturbed their TV time in bed................

Did I mention they were elderly, "slept" to the tv on WARP 50 VOLUME, which rode up the walls from below and even my AC would not drown the muffle voice " wwhan...whawhannnn whannn whannn?

As I said.....KUMBAYA. LOL

I like the occassional whiff when I walk past someone toking up. It reminds me of the good old days when I was more carefree and enjoyed a good spliff.

@Kendrah - I was taking a drink of water when I read your comment ^ - I started laughing - which turned into choking!

And don't get me started on pot. I hated it back when I was young--hated the smell and they way it made me feel, and I hate it even more now.

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC - your comment made me smile. Whenever I use the word "pot" my daughters made fun of me - "Mom, you need to call it 'weed' instead!" I think it stinks - my daughter said that was because the WEED that was around in the "old days" did smell - but the 'weed' strains that have been developed now smell good." Nope. Whether it's pot or weed - I think it all stinks! Plus, I hate smoke so much (too many car trips with my parents with cigarette smoke) that I wouldn't ever smoke weed.

My oldest daughter brought over some brownies that her friend made (I don't ever crave sweets - except I love ice cream - and I like brownies). She turned them into brownie sundaes with a really good hot fudge sauce. So, I ate one. Afterwards, she told me that it had some weed in it (whatever form of weed that was used in the brownies, the flavor was hidden by the chocolate/ice cream/hot fudge).

I didn't like the way it made me feel - and it kept getting worse and worse. However, apparently, I was very entertaining. There is a video that my younger daughter took secretly. You can hear my oldest daughter in the background - she kept apologizing - "Mom, I didn't know how strong they were - I am so sorry!"

@Jennifer Hogan I hope they're not living in NY, someone will use these chimes as target practice if they make too much noise before anybody gets a chance to barter lol

A few months ago, someone took out a drone over their backyard when a guy's girlfriend was sunbathing, and nobody bothered to call the cops because in certain neighborhoods, 99.9% of the time, nobody hears, sees, or knows anything lol.

I guess you can't please everyone; there is always someone who will complain about something.

I built a house for a customer, and his issue was the street light.

1st night after moving in, he left a message at 1 am, complaining about a street light shining into his bedroom and that he couldn't sleep...

I told him you should close the blinds, wear the sleep blinders, because this is out of my hands, or you can call the utility company and ask them to move the light, see how far that will get you.

@GN Builders L.L.C, someone who bought in our neighborhood asked the HOA to move a small neighborhood speed sign. They said it wasn't there when they bought the house and they wanted it moved. Yeah, no! The sign was there when they looked at the house and has been there for 25 years on the easement by the street .

@dani_m08 LOL so you caught a nice buzz, Dani lol. The brownies with weed always had that effect, same thing with edibles that they sell in dispensaries, many will tell you to stay away from them, because if they're not properly mixed, you will get one with nothing in it and another with everything in it, same for brownies :)

I have friends who have an apartment in Amsterdam, and they spend a few months a year. 1st time I visited them, I told them I wanna hit one of the coffee shops. They said whatever you do, don't buy edibles because they are not regulated, and a good chance they're not mixing them properly and will get you sick.

I still have some pictures from when I was there.

Memories, memories lol

I remeber in high school during Passover my best friend made hash matzo balls. I don't recommend it!

I had no idea that pot was an old school word. Thanks for bringing me up to speed.

If it weren't for asthma, I'd just close the windows when I the smoke starts to pour in. But it comes in quite quickly and my asthma kicks in right when I start to inhale it.

After moving in, someone in this neighborhood didn't like that there was a street light pole in front of their house. They paid the electric company to move it in front of someone else's property.

I live in a coop and just got word that a shareholder in our building keeps calling 311 because of the construction noise created by our exterior brick work! Cracks me up. Dude, YOU are the coop. You are causing the noise about which you are complaining.

@GN Builders L.L.C - I definitely caught a super nice buzz. I remember thinking, "This has to be as high as it's going to make me" - but it kept on coming (that's what happens when you're a "newbie" to being high in your 40's - you have no idea how it works/feels!)

I've heard that you are taking a chance if you eat edibles. Apparently, I hit the jackpot!

I actually have the video from that night - good thing we can't post videos on here! 🤣

I actually had a trip planned to Amsterdam with some friends (we all were "baby associates" together at a big law firm) - and then 9/11 hit - and the trip was cancelled. We said that we would reschedule it - but it didn't happen 😢

@Kendrah - "hash matzo balls" - I would guess those haven't been made very often! And yes, using "pot" = you're old apparently. My daughters both were like, "Mom, NO ONE refers to it as pot anymore!"

FYI - my daughters aren't huge pot heads (weed heads doesn't sound the same!) - it's just that marijuana has been legal in Colorado for a pretty long time - you smell it a lot when walking around down town Denver + out in Aspen/Snowmass.

Embrace their burn. Supply a cord of really well seasoned oak. They're likely burning unseasoned tarry pine or other junk softwood. If you take over well split white oak the smoke will be almost nonexistent.

@dani_m08 If you get a chance, definitely try to get out there. Beautiful city, lots to do and lots to see... The most important thing when moving around is not to get hit by someone on a bicycle; that is the first thing you will learn how to dodge them. They don't stop, and even if they hit you, it will be your fault; it's the law; they own the street.

I never saw so many bicycles in my entire life until I got there, LOL

I was in the thick of the Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll era during my rebellious teenage years. . . (Still apologizing to my parents who have been gone for over 20 years).

I was high most of the last two years of high school, but I grew up, became a responsible adult and didn't smoke anything for 30+ years.

Went to a class reunion and met up with a bunch of friends who still like to party. I was having a good time and decided to go to the after party at one of their homes and party with them. I knew enough not to smoke like I had been doing it for the last 30 years, took just a few hits.

OMG! I was completely toasted. I couldn't keep track of the conversation. By the time I had registered what they were talking about and had an answer they were 3 subjects ahead of me.

I guess I hadn't been paying attention and no one bothered to tell me that back in the 70s weed was only about 2% THC. Today it is over 20% THC.

I have no idea how anyone functions when they are that high. I'll stick to caffeine and sugar.

"I'd look into whether any prohibitions are being violated and if so anonymously (or not) report him."

Careful when reporting to a government agency if annonymity is important. Virtually all communications are subject to a FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) request.

Drugging someone without their knowledge or consent is a cute story? I really must be old and out of it.

You know who gets cranked up by any of these common annoyances ? You. The "perpetrator" is clueless and happy.

The weed smoker, the fire pit user, the guy who never learned how to make a left hand turn and remains stubbornly in place, refusing to pull up into the intersection, despite he is the LEAD DOG in a parade of those needing to make a left. The woman on her cell phone in the grocery who doesn't realize her voice carries all over the store, those who must park within inches of your drive side door, despite fifty empty parking spaces. Folks who park in reserved Handicap spaces. The slob who flings car trash out a car window, or leaves a grocery cart out in the wind to bang your car. Anyone who blithely passes an elderly with a walker and can't be bothered to hold open a door, Ms Stupid hogging a machine at the gym, while writing a novel on her phone.......the client you invite to lunch, only to discover she chews with wide open mouth. The woman in the store with the brat child who should have had a nap three hours ago. The nail salon whose owners and operators, all conversant in English, are talking about every patron in their lingo , and high pitch with gales of laughter.

Do you need more? I can keep going. The soul who forgets his wash and then screams when you remove it to load yours after a fifteen minute wait, any road requiring MERGE as this is obviously a lost skill. Gee. I need some coffee......

The new "music" in any store. Just get me OUT of here. : ) I'm out lol. oh...wait....

"Hi my name is Becky, I'll be your server......"

( this should not annoy me, but does.)

I have been a fan of hippy lettuce since I was 12 years old and let's just say I'm over 60 so a long time. I am also a fan of fires. There's something about staring into a fire that is so relaxing. Of course the hippy lettuce helps that calming feeling. I am getting ready to move from country living to city living and this is the one thing I'm going to miss most of all but getting to spend all my days with my grandson is a fair trade.

@JAN MOYER From this point on, in a little more detail, please... I love it! :)

LMAO, GN : )

Kendrah, I don't know if you have one or not, but I'd get an air purifier. Many years ago, our neighbors were building their house on a lot downhill from ours, on the shore of Puget Sound, which has a nice breeze off of it in the evening, Their contractor burned debris right below our house, the breeze filled our house with smoke. We had no air conditioning because it wasn't usually needed in the PNW and would just leave our windows open all summer, the breeze cooling things off nicely in the evenings. So we had to close the windows for weeks and weeks. I finally bought two large air purifiers, one for the downstairs and one for our bedroom upstairs. It saved my sanity. I still use them when wildfire smoke inundates us.

Then the guy having the house built got himself a chipper/shredded and came over ever weekend to chip and shred everything he could find. For hours and hours. So even when there wasn't smoke, we couldn't have the windows open because of the noise. I finally had a meltdown about it and he agreed to limit the shredding to a couple hours per day. Then they moved in and he bought a rock saw and proceeded to build miles of rockery with rocks that he spend hours sawing. Completely clueless about how his noise affected others.

EVEN THE PEOPLE you love...................?

My dear sister, who in a search for new bras, orders eight, to find one perfect fit. Six are Amazon, five to go back, two are elsewhere.

" Can you make a UPS run for me, since you're going" Sure!

She has them all neatly in the New and Improved paper envelope. I soon realize, she has a LABEL for each bra, thus requiring me to purchase a plain plastic envelope for each of five, and tape each label to that......and she has been financially screwed as every single one is going to the same exact Amazon locale.............: ( !!!

The other? USPS!!! No...has to go to post office.

Do I say anything? No. : ) I stifle it, as I adore her. I finish, and go Post office. Sigh lol, sigh.

Hmmm, this hasn't presented itself as a problem with any of our projects. Most of our projects are on large sites. So, don't think it would really present a problem. Check with your local building official to see what your code says about fire pits. Could be that they are not allowed - in which case your neighbor might not be allowed to use it.

I recommend against fighting one nuisance with another (wind chimes) but it’s a tricky thing to discuss your negative with their positive. Try as you might it often goes wrong. Air purifier is great idea. Discuss but be prepared for either outcome. I have to stay inside/windows closed when neighbors wind chimes are screeching.

We live in a city, but in a neighborhood of detached houses. Lots are small; houses are close together - maybe 10’ apart on average, with fences between. We have neighbors with dogs, neighbors with loud landscaping crews, neighbors who smoke tobacco in various formats, neighbors like ourselves who vape cannabis, neighbors with smokers - electric, charcoal, pellet and gas, all represented - firepits, and grills. We have neighbors with fountains, neighbors with lights, and neighbors who entertain. We have neighbors who leave every window and door in their house open nearly year round, neighbors who seasonally all but live outside and neighbors whom we never see.

It all seems to work for everyone except one neighbor who complains about everything all summer. IMO, a certain amount of tolerance/ability to ignore/slack-cutting is necessary to live in a neighborhood like ours - certainly more than we ever needed in a condo, where certain things, like firepits and smokers, were not even a consideration. I imagine that in a neighborhood where there is a mix of places with and without outdoor space that might be more of an issue.

My downstairs neighbor had upholstered moiré walls and carpet. (It was the ’80s.) And smoked. So did the boyfriend. If the downstairs windows were opened, it didn’t matter if they were smoking or not. The odor embedded in the padding, textiles, and wood cabinetry wafted up through my open windows. At least it was normal cigaretttes.

LOL...WHEN everyone smoked? Nobody noticed. That's fact, : )

https://www.facebook.com/midcenturyfashion2/videos/1960s-cocktail-party/697461284360425/

People who smoke should not be allowed to do so in public.

Or in private. My neighbor smoked in his home, and it affected my enjoyment of my home.

Gotta love concerned neighbors, reminds me of this scene:

https://youtu.be/beXPpObKWFo?si=kEivEgcVXuu8zjra

The smoker......has already been banished to a land of YOU SIMPLY SUCK. You have no right to exist.

There is nothing worse than the EX smoker! The one who says, "I would never!! ever!!! become like that officious ass if I quit! HAH!

I'll tell you what? I want every fat ass out there to join a gym. Dump the twenty or forty pounds you're lugging around as you dictate to others. Please Lose those rear end hugging yoga pants until you do! Ditto the baggy crop pants!

There isn't a smoker in the world, who doesn't regret lighting the first cig.. I don't care if it's someone who smokes one a day, three a day or thirty!

Most? Will find a stiff breeze well out of your nose. No smoker lights up near others anymore. Hardly any one of these horrid souls would light one on your damn sidewalk!

But I draw the line at invading a home that DOES NOT belong to you.

There are cooking scents that revolt me. People who need music thumping to start their day! There are plenty of things that annoy me. I'm not climbing the back of another until I am 100% PERFECT and not one thing I do annoys anybody.

BTW...... Wth is the mystery "My City"? Asking for a friend.....: )

OMG, GN, that scene is hilarious! Randy Quaid plays the best characters--who can forget Eddie in Christmas Vacation????!!!!!

^^ Classic comedy with the best actors can't beat that.

"WHEN everyone smoked? Nobody noticed. That's fact, : ) "

I disagree with this statement! I was a kid when everyone smoked and I hated every minute of it. Worse still, we were expats so we traveled a lot, and there was nothing worse than being trapped in a smoke filled airplane for 7 hours ... even when you sat in the "no smoking" seats.

Never had any interest to start smoking.

Sorry if this is off topic. But so fun to chime in on this post. :-)

The swim club I go to has an outdoor smoking section tucked far away...and there are several members that complain that we allow it on the property. However, if one of our members lights up a cigar on the terrace (NOT the smoking section), THAT's OK. Nobody says a word! Because it's a "classy" cigar. Same with having a beer at the park....not allowed! But by god if someone has a bottle of wine, no one says a thing! Just a couple things I've noticed over the years.

I'll chime in on the pot/weed thing too. LOL. It became legal in my state several years ago. I was never a pot smoker in high school or since. Always LOVED the smell of it....but made me feel like I was having a heart attack. So I can count on one hand the times I've tried it.

Recently however, I have discovered THC cocktails/seltzers...and I absolutely LOVE THEM! Life changing for me. I drink them to chill out at night...and by the time I hit the hay? They help me fall asleep immediately. I haven't had to take a melatonin or other sleeping aid since I found these wonderful drinky-poos!

I can buy them at several local places but once in awhile I'll order direct from them when they have 20-30% off sales.

They aren't cheap, but you only need one can a night....so still cheaper than when I used to drink alcohol.

For those interested? Here is what I drink: Two Brands: Cycling Frog + Crescent (see pic)

One full can of Cycling Frog Cherry (5mg) over ice.

Then I add a 1/4 Cup "Booster" of the Crescent (50mg).

That recipe is perfect for me and DH. Depending on your own body chemistry etc....you might feel different than us. Maybe start out without the "booster" at first. Then slowly add in the Crescent as you become comfortable with the THC effects. For the "booster" shot....start out with 1/8" cup and work your way up to adding the Booster, if you need it.

Here's pics...hope that's ok to post here? The stigma of "pot" is still around....so many of my friends look down on me for drinking these! I'm not kidding! yet, they drink alcohol like crazy! This

Oh! and the best part? Only 50 calories. My DH and I have both dropped 40 pounds in one year. I was never a heavy drinker either. I think we are living healthier lives without the alcohol.

Restaurants and bars have seen a huge decline in alcohol sales. Young people don't do it as much as we did....and the older generation are having to slow down on alcohol.....it's toxic!

If people want to burn wood, GO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY PLEASE, where at least 50 people are not in close proximity to your back yard! If you live in a city, act like it, and use gas for your outdoor fantasy life. People are so clueless as to how they impact others.

Another way to say this:

If you're going to live in the city and enjoy the benefits of city life, recognize that you're going to live in close proximity to other people, and their lifestyles will impact you -- for the good or the bad. You need thicker skin.

Haha, Mrs. Pete, good point.

And guess what--some states, mine included (and Kendrah's) are now outlawing GAS stoves. The nanny state is alive and well. And for the record, I will NEVER live in a city again. Especially the one closest to me (NYC). It's that weird combination of "anything goes" and "you can't do that here anymore."

""anything goes" and "you can't do that here anymore."

I think you may have described the past 25 years of this USA? : )

Makes me miss the Mad Men days that I missed lol

Maybe they didn't live as long, but they lived . I'm very much tired of " for my own good," that much is certain. Think I'll have a glass: ) or TWO.

Jan, I smoked for 40-odd years and still love the smell - so not /all/ ex-smokers

Sorry to be mean, but what, exactly is YOUR DESIGN DILEMMA?! You're in the wrong forum to rant about city life.

dani- your daughter is wrong. Farmer several miles from me took to growing weed (legal and regulated) to supplement his crop revenue. On a day with the wind in the right direction smells exactly like skunk.

@The Kitchen Place - I'd never heard of THC seltzer but sounds like something I'd like to try. Thanks for broadening my horizons.

I smell skunk weed often strolling through the city. It is alive and well.

Yes, I still certainly see people lighting up a cigarette in close proximity to others. I was sitting on an outdoor patio at a restaurant the other day. My mom and I moved inside because someone was chain smoking right next to us. Smokers are fewer than in the past but some still exist and probably can't imagine that others smell their smoke.

It would be insane for NY to outlaw gas stoves. There is no way in hell old, large high rises can afford the cost of converting to electric. In fact, my building just upgraded our gas lines because they were so old they would not pass inspection. The board got estimates for electric conversions. Eight times as much as installing new gas! Cost prohibitive. It would need to be subsidized. And while I'm for smart climate goals, subsidizing gas cooking just is not enough climate impact for the cost.

Mmmmmmmm What city?

You can not ciggy smoke or vape at ANY outdoor restaurant seating here/ NY. If you're rude, I suppose you could step into the street at the edge of sidewalk seating... blow it at diners . Nobody does.

You can't even smoke in your car at a hospital parking lot, though the number of nurses who smoke probably startle more than a few. Given their job stress, I'm not shocked by that anymore than I am shocked that so many are also obese.

All said, I am thrilled that so many people seem to have no vice whatsoever : ) and stand guilty as charged for any and all of mine. It makes it easier to stiffen my own spine, ignore the irritating, skip the road rage, give the rapper in the car with the blaring music no passing glance, don't answer the phone to the friend with the alcohol issue after six pm.......KNOWING full well every topic will incite her surly factor. ( Gave her , her very own special ring tone, in case the phone is charging in the kitchen!. ). Most things are just easier to ignore than some futile attempt to wail at the wind.

Unless.......you are one of those lead dog folks who has not yet mastered a left hand turn at a stoplight. .......Please see me in your rear view mirror!!!

If you're rude, I suppose you could step into the street at the edge of sidewalk seating... blow it at diners . Nobody does.

You need to get out more! (Or maybe you just don't realize it happening around you if you don't have asthma?)

I experienced this twice on the UWS last weekend. I don't think folks are trying to be rude when they do it. It is just cluelessness. They don't realize that it doesn't matter what direction you blow your smoke in, it is the direction the wind is blowing that matters. I often just excuse myself and go for a walk around the block until they leave.

I still see smoking in Central Park even though it is technically illegal to smoke in NYC parks.

I loathe cigarette smoke. Though sometimes give people the benefit of the doubt thinking 'Hey, maybe they are detoxing from heroine? Cigarettes are probably much better for them!' You never know what someone else is going through or experiencing. How bad their life might be that causes them to need a vice.

I don't have vices I can think of. But, often wonder if having one would improve the quality of my life. I'm sure I still do stuff that irritates the hell out of people. Don't we all?

As of May 2023, in CNN:

"New York is the first state in the country to ban natural gas and other fossil fuels in most new buildings – a major win for climate advocates, but a move that could spark pushback from fossil fuel interests.

Facing mounting pressure from environmental advocates and climate-minded voters, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democratic lawmakers, who control the New York Senate and Assembly, approved the new $229 billion state budget containing the provision late Tuesday night.

The law bans gas-powered stoves, furnaces and propane heating and effectively encourages the use of climate-friendly appliances such as heat pumps and induction stoves in most new residential buildings across the state. It requires all-electric heating and cooking in new buildings shorter than seven stories by 2026, and for taller buildings by 2029."

Ironically for you Kendrah, they have found that gas stoves cause asthma in children. Now it doesn't say anything about older buildings, but there will come a point when you won't be able to even get natural gas if these people have their way.

Gas stoves etc are also now banned here in new builds in Vancouver and people are supposed register wood burning fireplaces

WestCoast Hopeful - Vancover WA or Canada?

Canada

Ok! I asked because I’m in the WA Vancouver & my state did have a voter initiative about this issue last year. The headline “Gas Stoves Saved: Washington Voters Reject All Electric Building Mandates”. This was especially interesting - to me anyway - because WA in general is very pro green / clean energy etc etc.

Don't have time to read through all of this, but some people are so stupid...I hope they aren't burning pressure treated lumber it in! Entirely believable that it could happen!