What would you do? We borrowed our older neighbor's yard rake the other day.

[MJN]

He doesn't use it at all anymore and said he'd be glad for us to use it. Well, the pole broke on it. We went to Lowe's and bought him another one. Dh took it over, apologized for breaking it and said we'd bought him another one. The neighbor said that was fine and we didn't have to buy him another one. Dh said he felt like it was the right thing to do. The neighbor is sweet, but has a stubborn streak in him, and would give you the shirt off his back. They are precious to us and we'd like to keep it that way. So, this morning I found the new rake propped up against our door. So, do we leave it alone or what? We don't want to be disrespectful.

[Anne]

What a sweet neighbor! I would write him a nice note, bake him some bread and/or cookies, and take both to his house.

just my $0.02....

anne

[Jumping In Puddles]

Since he doesn't need the old one anymore I doubt he needs a new one either. I think it was a nice gesture to replace it anyway but since he gave it back to you I would just keep it and write him a thank you note. :iagree: A nice fresh baked loaf of bread or plate of cookies would be a nice thing to do :)

[Mom2GirlsTX]

Since he doesn't need the old one anymore I doubt he needs a new one either. I think it was a nice gesture to replace it anyway but since he gave it back to you I would just keep it and write him a thank you note. :iagree: A nice fresh baked loaf of bread or plate of cookies would be a nice thing to do :)

:iagree:
This is excellent advice. Bake him a nice loaf of bread and a pretty thank you note...and you keep the rake. I think you will insult him if you take the rake back to him. Y'all did the right thing to replace it, but respect his wishes now.

[tess in the burbs]

Make a nice note, bake something sweet....and perhaps when you notice his yard needs some raking you or dh do it just to be nice?

[tbmoran]

Make a nice note, bake something sweet....and perhaps when you notice his yard needs some raking you or dh do it just to be nice?

Excellent suggestion!:iagree:

[JFS in IL]

Make a nice note, bake something sweet....and perhaps when you notice his yard needs some raking you or dh do it just to be nice?

Yup - keep the rake and be in charge of raking his leaves now. Which may have been his plan all along! :)

[Cadam]

Leave it alone. He is your elder and I think it would be respectful to let him have his way in this small matter.