I think time has frozen in our neighborhood. People still walk their dogs, push baby strollers, ride bikes and they'll stop and talk to you as you're working in the yard. Well, truthfully I'm never working in the yard, but they stop to chat with my husband.
It is EASILY the most friendly, active neighborhood either of us have ever lived in.
It is EASILY the most friendly, active neighborhood either of us have ever lived in.
We have shared many impromptu early Sunday morning coffee and doughnuts with our next-door neighbors (whomever extends the invitation, has to get the doughnuts). We always argue about who has the best doughnuts.
We know everyone's animals by name and many have wandered through our house at some point...... They are all mystified and terrified by our 15 year old cat "Clyde". Clyde in return, despises all of them.
We have enjoyed our neighbor-across-the -street's homemade wine (delicious) and my husband and he talk about radiators, slate roofs, drafty windows, their lawns and motorcycles.
I have had morning coffee in my PJ's and slippers with the next-door-neighbor on our other side. Really. Like no make-up, bed hair and all. We shared many things and often prayed for one another. We may have been a mess, but I always served her in pretty cups.
Sadly, she has moved and I truly miss our morning chats, but the new neighbors are going to be good friends too. I know this because he brought a beer over to my hubby when he was out mowing. Though my husband is not a beer drinker, he drank every drop. Also, last Saturday during our garage sale the neighbor yelled out this veranda window that he wanted to buy a bed we had for sale. "JUST PUT A SOLD SIGN ON IT!!!"
We have been to traveling Christmas parties, where you are only at each house for 1 hour, then someone blows a whistle and you walk to the next house. Five homes in one night, and then we walk home. Now THAT is a fun night!
We have been to silly dress-up parties. These two (not a couple) won best costume. I let her borrow one of my candy cigarettes!
We have an open invitation for another neighbor's beautiful pool. Yeah. We hope they never move!
We have had backyard parties to welcome new babies.
While we love, love, LOVE the neighborhood, it's not perfect. Nothing here on earth ever is you know. One neighbor doesn't care for my '54 GMC truck or the tire-squealing, stalling, windows down laughing driving tutorials my husband gives me.
I don't know WHY!
I don't know WHY!
I've heard that someone doesn't like that I painted my (see definition for MY) library green. Bright green. I love it! My house, my choice!
Reaching out to neighbors and putting yourself "out there" is a risk, but we have found the great gift of friendship in taking that leap of faith!
FOR SALE
All in all, the good EASLIY outweighs the bad, and we always tell people that are house hunting about our neighborhood.
In fact, if you are looking, there are several available and we would love to have you as neighbors!
In fact, if you are looking, there are several available and we would love to have you as neighbors!
ALSO FOR SALE
If your neighborhood isn't social, be the first to invite someone over. Step outside and say hi to your neighbor. Offer a cold drink to a neighbor working outside. Offer to share your dinner with neighbors just moving in. No one will care what you serve, they will just appreciate the gesture!
Like the words from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood song, "Who are the people in your neighborhood?" You won't know unless you go find out.
Like the words from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood song, "Who are the people in your neighborhood?" You won't know unless you go find out.
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