My Neighbor Installed a Toilet on My Lawn with a Note, ‘Flush Your Opinion Here,’ After I Asked Her Not to Sunbathe in Front of My Son’s Window

When Shannon moved in next door, I should have sensed that trouble was brewing. First, she painted her house a garish purple, then switched to orange, and finally settled on a shade of blue that made my eyes water. But I’m the kind of person who believes in live-and-let-live. That was, until Shannon began turning her front yard into a bikini-clad sunbathing spectacle right outside my 15-year-old son Jake’s window.

One morning, Jake came bursting into the kitchen, his face as red as a tomato. “Mom, can you, um, do something about what’s going on outside my window?” he stammered.

Confused, I followed him to his room. As I peeked out his window, there was Shannon, sprawled out on a leopard-print lounger in a bikini that was more like a string of sequins than an actual outfit.

“Mom, this has been going on every day. I can’t even open my blinds anymore! Tommy came over to study, and he froze when he saw her. I think his mom’s going to ban him from coming over again!” Jake groaned, flopping onto his bed.

I sighed and closed the blinds. “Just keep them shut for now, honey. I’ll handle it.” But I couldn’t help but wonder how long we’d have to endure this awkward situation.

After a week of watching Jake duck and dodge around his own room, I decided it was time to have a friendly chat with Shannon. Normally, I don’t meddle in what people do in their own yards, but Shannon’s ‘sunbathing’ was turning into more of a public performance than a private activity.

I found her lounging outside one day and called out, trying to strike a balance between a friendly neighbor and a concerned parent. “Hey, Shannon! Can we chat for a minute?”