I'm the ratter.

This post might be worthy for “Blog Action Day” – a discussion on the environment, but I missed it. I was busy doing something else last night.

Someone has been making me stew for the past few days. It takes a lot to make me stew because I’d describe myself as non-confrontational and peaceful, who rarely judges anyone too harshly. My virtues, if you call them virtues, are being compromised. Please stay with me.

While the region is having life sucked out of it during the worst drought in history, we are painfully watching the effects. I’m not going to give stats here. They can be found on the evening world news.

A part of Lake Norman is shown above at eight feet below normal. We visited our ex-next door neighbors and saw their view of the lake.

Another one bites the dust. The majority of us are taking this water shortage seriously and conserve.

Irrigation systems are shut off and sprinklers are packed away.

It was 85 degrees yesterday. The gardens are now stretched to the limit. Combine this drought, with the deep freeze we had in April, to conclude it’s been a rough year for trees and plant life.

I’m a busy person like everyone else, but I spent a total of at least ninety minutes on the phone last night with Charlotte 311 to report a water restriction violation across the street. When he brought the power washer out to clean his meticulous driveway, I called again, to confirm my report was registered! The city will investigate by visiting the residence, imposing a hefty fine, and monitoring the water usage of those who violate. And it’s fair. If I can live with filthy windows and dirt that blankets the outdoors, let him eat it. I used to like the family enough to wave and small talk with them.

The arrogant and self-righteous man has spent four or five days power washing his castle, twice the size of my home, because wants to sell it. I regret that I didn’t call on day one to stop it. I'm suspicious as to why his grass is green...

Is he entitled to rob tap water from those who can’t afford to buy bottled water next April when there’s none left?

Hey neighbor, that landscape retaining wall is disgustingly dirty! You must clean it (and risk not being able to flush your toilet in a few months).


A few young neighborhood children came to play with his little boy. His back deck, probably the size of a tennis court, was being power washed. Over the noise of the machine, I heard a little boy comment, “Noah, your Dad can’t do that. There’s a water restriction.” Good boy.

Am I enjoying the revenge? No. Well, maybe a little.

We need to protect ourselves and other life forms who depend on us. We could lose so much. There is no room for selfishness.

I wish I wasn’t the ratter but somebody had to do it. If necessary, I'll call again, dammit.