I’m in my 70s, living in a quiet neighborhood where the biggest scandal is usually something like someone’s lawn being half an inch too long. Every year, I put up a few Halloween decorations — nothing crazy, just some plastic tombstones, a skeleton on the porch, and some cobwebs. The kids love it, and neighbors don’t mind.
But then there’s Irene. She used to be on the HOA board, but she didn’t leave by choice if you catch my drift. Irene always has something to say, whether it’s about someone’s shutters or the color of their mailbox. This time, it was my Halloween decorations.
A week after I put them up, I got a letter from the HOA. Apparently, my display was “distasteful and excessive,” according to Irene. Excessive? I had four plastic tombstones and a skeleton! But she claimed it “detracted from the community’s aesthetic.”
Now, I’ve lived here for decades, and I know the HOA rules inside and out. There’s nothing in there about Halloween decorations. But I didn’t want to confront her — people like Irene love a good fight. So, I let it go, figuring it wasn’t worth the drama. But the next day, Irene showed up on my porch begging for help…
