This mosaic is on our high street in front of one of the shops. It's clearly a remnant of an earlier tenant, but I have no idea who installed it. I first photographed it when we moved to West Hampstead in 2014 and it hasn't changed much since then.
Here's another piece, then and now.
There used to be a central section containing a bunch of different objects encased in some kind of resin, and I'm not sure that still exists -- I didn't see it on my most recent walk past.
I'm still in a crunch period at work, but I'm having some success with overdue items. I've got books back from all but two high school students, and many of the middle schoolers have returned things as well. Slow but steady progress!
We've had a bit more drama with the Russians. Remember the plant we "rescued" from the trash, only to have Mrs. Russia demand that we return it? Well, I immediately did, and she responded by plunking it down in the front garden outside our door. Where it now sits, in its plastic pot, looking abandoned.
I sent her an e-mail asking her to move it to her door or perhaps put it behind the bins where it was before, so it doesn't look like it's associated with our flat. (Because frankly, it looks trashy.) She has done neither and has not responded. She apparently wants to force us to live with it on her terms.
Ever since the front garden kerfuffle, she has basically refused to interact with us, and I sense a palpable hostility from her. I'm not sure what we did to upset her so much but it's a problem when we can't even have a conversation with our upstairs neighbors. I suspect issues will arise that will require us to talk, and it will be interesting to see what happens then. (The husband is far less hostile, so maybe I'll just deal with him.)
I noticed last night that they trimmed one of the shrubs in the front garden and put all the cuttings in the trash bin. I took them out and put them in a yard waste bag, which is where they're supposed to go, which gives us more room in the bins. I suspect this will piss her off too.
It's all so exhausting.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Kravitz is still missing. Her yard remains overgrown and her shed is still standing open, with the light on. Very strange.
How lovely those mosiacs are! Boo on the neighbours being un-neighbourly. Exhausting is the right word for it. I hope Mrs. K is all right. Does Mr. K not realize that light is on and the door to the shed open? How do people function in life without the ability to notice things like that? People can be such mysterious animals!
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. K is away too now. I'm not sure what's going on!
DeleteI have a terrible sense of foreboding about Mrs K lying dead in bed whilst Mr K is blissfully unaware, walking around in a state of innocent dementia.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you do know that peace talks with the Russians won't work!
Thanks for the laugh, Jay Cee.
DeleteU
A very good point JayCee.
DeleteWell, it would be fast-acting dementia, as Mr. K was fine just a few weeks ago! And yes, even a diplomatic summit would not resolve our differences with the Russians.
DeleteRapid onset dementia🤗
DeleteOh, those Russians. They are good blog fodder though.
ReplyDeleteThey do keep the stories coming!
DeleteMrs Russia sounds a little overbearing. Not to say rude. Still, as long as she doesn't poison Olga be happy.
ReplyDeleteThat plant at your doorstep I would put back at hers. Think "tug of war". Alternatively, you could repot sa(i)d plant into some stylish vessel, lavish some tender loving care on it. You'll see how quickly she'll reclaim it to her front step.
All else failing and, obviously, going against all your instincts as the saviour of plants failing, neglected, just let it "disappear". Oh dear, someone stole it. Condolences, Mrs Russia. Do have a handkerchief at the ready at her "loss".
U
Repotting it is not a bad idea, but with my luck it would die and then she'd be REALLY mad!
DeleteGood suggestions Ursula..why should an innocent plant suffer?!
ReplyDeleteInteresting mosaic. Someone obviously spent a fair bit of time and energy on that
I wonder if they would be surprised to know it's lasted this long?
DeleteVery nice mosaic. It's always a surprise how much work and detail put into their immediate environment. As for your neighbourhood drama: maybe this is all connected? Mrs Kravitz refused the plant the Russians wanted to bribe her with to get access to her garden shed for nefarious reasons, she then was disappeared by Mrs Russia who insisted you take the plant in case of investigations identifying said plant as proof. Meanwhile Mr Russia has moved to Mrs Kravitz's garden shed and is installing Russion spyware for cyber attacks.
ReplyDeleteHa! I LOVE THIS! It's a novel in the making!
DeleteHave you called the police about the missing Mrs Kravitz? Mrs Russia is certainly being a PITA.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's risen to the level of police involvement. They're probably just on a long trip.
DeleteLinked with Sabine's theories, maybe the Russians are holding Mrs Kravitz hostage upstairs. With all that banging and D.I.Y. activity, perhaps Mr Russia was building a cell for her. As for Mrs Russia's straggly plant, I have got an idea about where she should stick it - but I am not sharing as I know that you have some sensitive blog visitors who might be offended.
ReplyDeleteThe Russians and Mrs. Kravitz HATE each other, so anything is possible!
DeleteYour neighbors are exhausting.
ReplyDeleteAren't they, though? I have never before lived in an area with such drama.
DeleteBetween work, neighbor drama, and the mystery of Mrs. Kravitz, I hope things start to settle down soon and that a bit of peace returns to your corner of West Hampstead.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping!
DeleteMrs. Russia sounds truly awful. I hope, I suppose, that Mrs. Kravitz is alright. How very strange.
ReplyDeleteIt is strange. She shed hanging open with the light on is the weirdest part.
DeleteIt's true that you can choose your friends, but not your neighbours (or your family) Maybe they'll move! Shame about the plant, though - it would be much happier with you.
ReplyDeleteWe were going to put it in the ground, which is where it wants to be!
DeleteMrs. Russia sounds very passive aggressive. She certainly is a piece of work!
ReplyDeleteI just don't understand how we got her so upset, but she will not deal with us at all.
DeleteMrs. Russian is a piece of work; I sense she didn't want you to have her abandoned plant but took it back so she could leave it to wither and die in front of your eyes.
ReplyDeleteAs for Mrs. Kravitz, that's worrisome that the door is open and lights are on in the shed.
I think you're right on the plant -- she won't let us take it but at the same time she doesn't want it.
DeleteLiving in close proximity to people is exhausting which is why I'll likely never go back to living in an apartment or condo type building.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Kravitz is dead most likely. Hopefully she isn't buried out back or put int he freezer by Mr. Kravitz. At least that is always what happens in the 20/20 and Dateline murder series that play on Friday evenings.
We've all watched enough true crime shows on television that we jump to that thought immediately!
DeleteHere I am in southern Maine, worrying whether Mrs Kravitz in London is all right.
ReplyDeleteAlso, by the way, the neighbors on either side of me here in Maine are both named Gladys. They're both fine. Just thought you'd like to know.
DeleteI'm glad your Gladyses are well! It's funny how a global audience is following the exploits of our Mrs. K. :)
DeleteLike Lynn Marie, here I am in North Florida wondering about Mrs. Kravitz but I'm not really worrying too much that she is dead. She is or she isn't. Why don't you just ask her husband? Just march right over there and knock boldly on the door and when he opens it ask, "WHERE is your wife?"
ReplyDeleteAs to Mrs. Russia- I have no idea. I suppose you could use the same technique and demand of Mr. Russia, "What is WRONG with your wife?"
P.S. I forgot to say I like those mosaics a lot.
DeleteI tried knocking on Mr. K's door but he's gone too now. I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks. I like the mosaics too! I think a couple of businesses have occupied that shopfront since we moved here, and I appreciate that they've all left the mosaics in place.
DeleteSo can't you quietly take care of that plant out front? Feeding, watering like you do your own plants? I'm sure your neighbors will not notice and the plant will get better.
ReplyDeleteI would head over to Mr. Kravitz and warn him that his shed light is on and the door is open. That's a neighborly thing to do. It won't hurt to ask about his wife and see if they need some help.
Yes, we could care for the plant (and probably will). It's the pot I object to more than the plant itself. I did knock on Mr. K's door but I don't think he's around now either.
DeleteSeems like you have two options about the plant. Move it to her door, which is what I would do, or take care of it where it is and if she complains about that tell her point blank to move it then. And what is her issue with the front garden? It looks to be, from the pictures you post, by your door, not hers which I assume is to the right of yours when facing the house. Such a pain having an unpleasant neighbor. And maybe the Kravitses got a divorce and she moved out. Or maybe he had her committed. I'd be terribly curious too.
ReplyDeleteThe garden saga is long. Basically, as the owners of the two flats in the building, our landlords and the Russians are jointly responsible for the front garden. It has historically been very low maintenance, so Mrs. Russia didn't really know this until we had to get it trimmed, and now that she knows she's part responsible she has "laid claim" to the space to do with what she wishes -- even though, yes, it's really in front of our door.
DeleteYup. Deal with Mr. Russian. Maybe he can tell you why she won't talk to you. And if all else fails, just stick the plant by her door or give her the ultimatum -- your door, the bins, or we toss it (or whatever). Passive aggressive but sometimes you have to go there! That's what she does! I hope Mrs. K is all right. Yes, I'd ask Mr. K. Could be she died, but the shed is a mystery. Maybe he just doesn't know. Honestly, you should write a book. I'd buy a copy for all my friends.
ReplyDeleteI really don't think she died. I'd have heard through the neighborhood grapevine. This would make a tedious book! LOL
DeleteMrs. R. is a piece of work. There is nothing rational about her. In the darkness of the night, I would disappear the dead/dying plant and say nothing to Mrs. R.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about Mrs. K. and think a friendly chat with Mr. K. might give you some insight.
The mosaics are very nicely done.
The plant is actually not dying (yet), it's just in a really ugly pot. If I were to keep it in front of my house, I'd repot it. Which someone suggested above. Maybe that's the answer.
DeleteSadly problems with neighbors is too common. Sadly there are many solutions.
ReplyDeleteI won't resort to violence! LOL
DeleteI love the mosaics. It's very uncomfortable to have such difficulties with neighbors. I wonder why she is so stubborn.
ReplyDeleteDave called it years ago. I always thought he was the pill, but Dave was certain she was worse, and now I think he's right.
DeleteI would suggest you just talk to both husbands and find out about the wives and get over it!
ReplyDeleteHa! Well, I have tried talking to Mr. K but he is no longer around. As for Mr. R, I just have to catch him at a time when he's by himself. In the past, she has called him away from me when she's found us talking!
DeleteI would just move the plant back where it was. That's just ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteIt's like poking me in the eye, you know? Deliberately aggressive.
DeleteOhhhh the neighbors are getting spooky! Could it be that they hate americans although Ms. Kravitz situation sounds like maybe she fell ill and is...dead? You could stick a little pound shop Ukrranian flag in the potted plant that suffers from Russians.
ReplyDeleteOMG -- I LOVE this idea! I should repot the plant and put a Ukrainian flag in it.
DeleteOMG -- I LOVE this idea! I should repot the plant and, if not put a Ukrainian flag in it, maybe paint the whole pot with a Ukrainian theme?
DeleteYou’re handling it with patience and kindness, which is impressive. Hopefully, the husband can help smooth things over. The mystery of Mrs. Kravitz’s disappearance adds an eerie twist to it all. Despite these challenges, it’s great you’re making progress with your work and keeping things moving forward.
ReplyDeleteIt IS rather eerie, though I suspect I'm making it sound like a much bigger deal than it really is.
DeleteThe Russians are their own soap opera. I do like Linda Sue's Ukrainian flag idea, sends a simple yet clear message.........
ReplyDeleteThat IS a great idea!
DeleteI am fully on board with the Ukranian flag in the pot. I guess Mrs. Russia does not have enough to occupy her fevered brain so she badgers you.
ReplyDeleteI don't think she works, so I suspect you're right. I think she sits around a lot and gets wound up about things.
DeleteSo much drama in your life right now!! At least you've been too busy at work lately for drama there. Glad the books are coming back in.
ReplyDeleteYes, the busyness is a good thing -- it keeps me distracted!
DeleteMany years ago an elderly neighbour's door was mysteriously open one morning so I called the non emergency number for our local police station as I was worried about her. I suggest that if you are worried about Mrs. Kravitz you do the same better safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteJane
A good suggestion! If their front door was open I definitely WOULD call the police. In this case, it's just a storage shed, so I don't think we're quite at that level of alarm. But I may change my mind!
DeleteCan you look in a window at Mrs. K's? This story could turn into a Rear Window movie in Hitchcock's hands.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
It IS very rear window! LOL!
DeleteOh dear. You don't suppose that Mrs Russia had a disagreement with Mrs Kravitz? This sounds like an episode of Midsomer Murder. We expect you to get to the bottom of this by the end of summer.
ReplyDeleteWell, they HAVE had disagreements in the past -- big ones, in fact. I think a legal notice was sent at one point!
DeleteYe gods and little fishes! (I can't remember where that came from but anyway.) Your neighbors are all becoming characters Hitchcock would have loved. Keep your head down. Or maybe buy the building and evict the Rooskies!
ReplyDeleteHow did I not perceive the Hitchockiness (is that a word?) of all this?!
DeleteWhat unnecessary drama Mrs. Russia causes! Some people thrive on conflict and chaos and I suspect she's one of them. I hope Mrs.K is OK. I'm feeling very fortunate in my neighbors!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think she does like the strife, in a weird way. How did we wind up with such...eccentric...neighbors?
Delete