By the way, also, good window shades and maybe a good garage with a good door.

Actually, I shouldn’t make such rash generalized statements. I’ve mostly had good neighbors. Mostly I have not had any problems and they have actually helped a few times. In fact, if it weren’t for my neighbors, the two women ambulance attendants would have never gotten me in the ambulance when I broke my ankle. There is no way they would have been able to lift my 280 pound frame. And, incidentally, it didn’t help my confidence in them that they were busy reading instructions on how to install the air brace and pump it up.

One of my neighbors let us have their 60 pound dog, which helped scare the armed burglar away. I do miss the old dog but she was getting old and had a big bleeding tumor on her shoulder. One of her favorite things was crossing her paws on the arm of the chair and putting her chin on them.

I’ve lived here since the year Elvis died and I have seen a number of neighbors come and go. One night I heard a woman screaming. Once I realized she was out in the street, I went to see what was wrong. It turned out she just lost her, I guess about 7 mo baby. He died in the crib. They had just moved in a few weeks earlier. I never saw the couple again. They moved out a few days later.

I really wish I could have done something for them. I guess they did do something for me. I realized just how thankful I am that my two boys had so few problems, for which I will ever be grateful to the Lord.

The day after the 100 mph winds came through and toppled a couple of trees, keeping me from going to work, the teen next door came over to help and that was really great, considering I was still on crutches from my broken ankle. He didn’t ask if he could help. He just did it. I guess that is the sort of thing that makes a good neighbor too. I did make to work, though I was very late. It was spooky driving home though. No street lights or traffic lights. Really dark, even with the headlights.

Still, that good fence comes in pretty handy from time to time, especially when I can keep my dog from jumping it.