Saturday, August 02, 2003 AD Hitting the Neighbor Jackpot Several months ago, I wrote about the departure of my neighbors from aitch-e-double-toothpick. Well, the folks who moved in have been simply marvelous. It took a while for us to start connecting, since they moved in during cool weather and we just never seemed to be outside at the same time to make spontaneous, casual conversation. I did talk with the wife, Ethel, a time or two, but nothing more than pleasantries. Then I left them some cookies back in February, but never heard anything from them, so I didn't know if they'd been received or welcomed.
Finally, a couple months ago, amidst all the rain we'd been getting, Ethel knocked on the door to ask if my basement had been flooded, as hers had. I hadn't checked, but did so then. I had a little bit of water, but it was right by the adjoining wall and had probably come through from her basement. As we talked about how to solve the problem, we determined what we'd need to set things straight and decided to go shopping together to buy supplies. I was grateful for the opportunity to share a bit more conversation than the occasional "Hi" if we happened to be getting into or out of our cars at the same moment.
I also had a chance to meet Ethel's husband, Mr. Henry, around this time. He's quite a bit older, so somehow Mr. Henry seems right for him whereas just Ethel seems right for her. Besides, he calls me Miss Valerie, so it seems right to reciprocate. He's been a gem. When the rains seemed ceaseless, and my lawn guy couldn't always get there on a rare dry day to mow my grass, Mr. Henry twice cut my front lawn. I've returned from work a number of times to find that he's taken my tash cans from the curb back around the house. And when I had a dead battery a couple weeks ago, and was heading out to walk to the station to retrieve my car, he wouldn't hear of it, insisting that his daughter give me a ride.
These folks are an answer to prayer...and moreso. :-) Posted by Valerie (Kyriosity) at 8/02/2003 11:51:00 AM
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