I really like my neighbors. I'm talking about my physical living space - as in my druggie boys across the hall (Shady and Charming), my 85 year old neighbor downstairs who I bring one fat tomato to each time I visit the Farmer's Market once a week, (except that just ended) and my neighbor behind me who takes it upon himself to be the eyes and ears around here, making sure that we're all safe.
There are a few others of course, that I don't know as well but probably will at some point. Especially the ones who are moving in upstairs. I hope the circumstances aren't that I introduce myself while asking them why they don't look like the hot vampires that I read about since the only noise they make is late at night.....and I don't mean pussy footing across the floor to change the channel. I'm talking LET'S HANG 90 FRAMED THINGS ON THE WALL WITH A HAMMER AND NAILS at 11:30pm.
They did put up a cute fall foliage basket thingy in the hall though, so I'm assuming they are sort of okay poser vampires.
You could really base the Sesame Street mantra "Who are the People in Your Neighborhood" on this particular hood. The kid across the street who fixed my car waves to me as I hop in the car in the morning. Those crazy gas station employees who know everyone and have shouting conversations with me as I stand on my deck hanging out the laundry. The Predictable Passerby in the morning while Humanling and I wait for her bus. Especially the one that I knew before Miz Eye was born. He used to be a town drunk, walking around with a frightening scowl on his face. Now he's cleaned up a bit, nice haircut, walks to the city bus stop every morning after stopping at the gas station for his coffee and newspaper. I love watching him walk by. I like that he seems to have gotten things together a bit better (although for all I know, he went from Drunk to Functioning Drunk). I like seeing people do well for themselves, even if its all in my head.
After Humanling is picked up by her bus, I hop in my car and pass the Ex (maybe) Drunk. He sits on a quaint wooden bench, newspaper open, hair looking all clean and cut nice and his coffee, sitting in one of many places. In his hand, on the bench next to him or on the ground near his workbooted foot.
Something about this scene just makes me happy. It might be the trust level he has in placing his coffee anywhere. I can't do that. The freak in me has to shield the top from bird poop. My eyes must be on it at all times. No putting it on top of the car for even a second while fumbling with full hands. Not for me. So this guy's freedom in keeping it 'wherever' just has me in awe.
Sometimes I say hi to him as he passes us. Sometimes I'm busy brushing Humanling's hair or running up and down the stairs seven times for things forgotten or OCD Is the Stove On items of ilk.
He's part of my neighborhood.
As is the boy who must be in his last year of high school by now. A larger boy, his back pockets sunk down to his knees, long hair growing past the dreadlock and into just messy stage. For the last few years I have seen him. I've lived in three different places in this town in the last few years. I'd see him walking from school to the local coffee shop. Many times I see him sitting outside the coffee shop with friends or alone. At one point in time, he was never apart from a girl, who he seemed to really be into. They'd sit on the couch of the coffee shop, he, kissing her cheek.
Suddenly I didn't see her anymore. Slowly I realized that all my viewings of him were without her. And just like a soap opera, I'd gotten caught up and let down by the storyline.
Now I see him sitting on a bench, usually with friends. After all these years, and my joking around that there's "my friend" to whoever I was walking with, we do say hello. We are reciprocating scenery for each other.
I went out today with my coffee guy. He's off on Sundays. I envy (in a good way) that he works for himself. And that his shop is cool. And that he is surrounded by coffee! Walking into his shop makes me stop suddenly. I am forced to close my eyes and take a deep breath. I wouldn't be able to stop this response if the place was crumbling around me. It's become an innate body sense. Humanling, The Roaster and I went out to a diner and let me say that the coffee there was like an insult. Afterwards we all went to the local coffee shop and played games with Humanling and chatted. Like neighbors.
Earlier this week, our 85 year old neighbor who can't walk well, fell outside and the Roaster found her. He threw her arm around his neck and carried her inside. She is clearly shaken by this event, as her legs have never failed her this badly. But she nearly speaks with tears in her eyes that the Roaster saved her.
I have the most awesome Effing neighbors.
And then I have you. My virtual neighbors. The first person to ever comment on my blogs...Alan and brought me further in a bit. The people who drop by, who comment, who don't. I love swinging by your place and I'm happy to see that you've swung by mine. I'm inspired and I learn from you. You are my news. I wouldn't watch any other. I'll probably find out who is President from one of you.
One more shout out - to The Neighbor himself.
Hi Neighbor.
There are a few others of course, that I don't know as well but probably will at some point. Especially the ones who are moving in upstairs. I hope the circumstances aren't that I introduce myself while asking them why they don't look like the hot vampires that I read about since the only noise they make is late at night.....and I don't mean pussy footing across the floor to change the channel. I'm talking LET'S HANG 90 FRAMED THINGS ON THE WALL WITH A HAMMER AND NAILS at 11:30pm.
They did put up a cute fall foliage basket thingy in the hall though, so I'm assuming they are sort of okay poser vampires.
You could really base the Sesame Street mantra "Who are the People in Your Neighborhood" on this particular hood. The kid across the street who fixed my car waves to me as I hop in the car in the morning. Those crazy gas station employees who know everyone and have shouting conversations with me as I stand on my deck hanging out the laundry. The Predictable Passerby in the morning while Humanling and I wait for her bus. Especially the one that I knew before Miz Eye was born. He used to be a town drunk, walking around with a frightening scowl on his face. Now he's cleaned up a bit, nice haircut, walks to the city bus stop every morning after stopping at the gas station for his coffee and newspaper. I love watching him walk by. I like that he seems to have gotten things together a bit better (although for all I know, he went from Drunk to Functioning Drunk). I like seeing people do well for themselves, even if its all in my head.
After Humanling is picked up by her bus, I hop in my car and pass the Ex (maybe) Drunk. He sits on a quaint wooden bench, newspaper open, hair looking all clean and cut nice and his coffee, sitting in one of many places. In his hand, on the bench next to him or on the ground near his workbooted foot.
Something about this scene just makes me happy. It might be the trust level he has in placing his coffee anywhere. I can't do that. The freak in me has to shield the top from bird poop. My eyes must be on it at all times. No putting it on top of the car for even a second while fumbling with full hands. Not for me. So this guy's freedom in keeping it 'wherever' just has me in awe.
Sometimes I say hi to him as he passes us. Sometimes I'm busy brushing Humanling's hair or running up and down the stairs seven times for things forgotten or OCD Is the Stove On items of ilk.
He's part of my neighborhood.
As is the boy who must be in his last year of high school by now. A larger boy, his back pockets sunk down to his knees, long hair growing past the dreadlock and into just messy stage. For the last few years I have seen him. I've lived in three different places in this town in the last few years. I'd see him walking from school to the local coffee shop. Many times I see him sitting outside the coffee shop with friends or alone. At one point in time, he was never apart from a girl, who he seemed to really be into. They'd sit on the couch of the coffee shop, he, kissing her cheek.
Suddenly I didn't see her anymore. Slowly I realized that all my viewings of him were without her. And just like a soap opera, I'd gotten caught up and let down by the storyline.
Now I see him sitting on a bench, usually with friends. After all these years, and my joking around that there's "my friend" to whoever I was walking with, we do say hello. We are reciprocating scenery for each other.
I went out today with my coffee guy. He's off on Sundays. I envy (in a good way) that he works for himself. And that his shop is cool. And that he is surrounded by coffee! Walking into his shop makes me stop suddenly. I am forced to close my eyes and take a deep breath. I wouldn't be able to stop this response if the place was crumbling around me. It's become an innate body sense. Humanling, The Roaster and I went out to a diner and let me say that the coffee there was like an insult. Afterwards we all went to the local coffee shop and played games with Humanling and chatted. Like neighbors.
Earlier this week, our 85 year old neighbor who can't walk well, fell outside and the Roaster found her. He threw her arm around his neck and carried her inside. She is clearly shaken by this event, as her legs have never failed her this badly. But she nearly speaks with tears in her eyes that the Roaster saved her.
I have the most awesome Effing neighbors.
And then I have you. My virtual neighbors. The first person to ever comment on my blogs...Alan and brought me further in a bit. The people who drop by, who comment, who don't. I love swinging by your place and I'm happy to see that you've swung by mine. I'm inspired and I learn from you. You are my news. I wouldn't watch any other. I'll probably find out who is President from one of you.
One more shout out - to The Neighbor himself.
Hi Neighbor.
