I fixed dinner for a bunch of men: David, our nephew James, Ken, Elder Black and Elder Sanders. The potato salad seems to have been the most popular item. Kind of early in the year for potato salad. It was the only thing I made today which required more than minimal effort.
James has moved in with us for a while, and has just gotten a job with a very irregular schedule. But it's work. We've also been in a mess around the house, moving things around for James, and for David's wall re-finishing projects. David and James installed a new double door in the media room Friday. The old one was poorly made. It did not stand up to the weather. And Troy the Giant Dog scratching when he wanted attention didn't improve the door's appearance, either.
James has moved in with us for a while, and has just gotten a job with a very irregular schedule. But it's work. We've also been in a mess around the house, moving things around for James, and for David's wall re-finishing projects. David and James installed a new double door in the media room Friday. The old one was poorly made. It did not stand up to the weather. And Troy the Giant Dog scratching when he wanted attention didn't improve the door's appearance, either.
It rained a little today, and more is forecast for tomorrow. We can use it. The air is fresh. All the animals are O.K. I got to talk on speaker phone with Keira, Wally, Lorilee and Sherm. They're a little surprised about our tomato project this year. Lorilee talked about how people in Russia often leave the city for country houses - tiny to large dachas - in summer. This may help account for the numerous open-pollinated tomato varieties from the former USSR. Additionally, I imagine that with the food distribution problems in the old USSR, a lot of people informally shared tomato seeds with each other. And the USSR did have some formal plant-breeding programs as well.
Yesterday, our new neighbors brought over tamales, grilled meat and birthday cake (in three separate trips) from the big birthday bash held for their niece, a toddler. The party featured big strings of ballons, rows of tables and chairs on the recently-poured patio slab and a bounce house for the kids. The party got started early in the day and was pretty sizable by evening. There were follow-up activities today for people who stayed overnight. It's so interesting, this Mexican affection for huge parties for tiny people. I went over for a few minutes. It was windy, but the men barbecuing and the kids in the bounce house didn't seem to mind. Nice people.
David and James are both becoming attached to the man of the house, also named David. My David has helped them roof the house, and he either helped with or lent them tools for other construction projects. The neighbor David has sprayed weeds on the street side of our property and has introduced us to some new drip irrigation equipment. He calls me "Mrs. Carolyn". Or "Mrs. Caro". Now that he knows me better. "Caro" is my name to several friends in town. They just all seem to decide eventually to call me that,
David and James are both becoming attached to the man of the house, also named David. My David has helped them roof the house, and he either helped with or lent them tools for other construction projects. The neighbor David has sprayed weeds on the street side of our property and has introduced us to some new drip irrigation equipment. He calls me "Mrs. Carolyn". Or "Mrs. Caro". Now that he knows me better. "Caro" is my name to several friends in town. They just all seem to decide eventually to call me that,
It's nice to have neighbors again. Neighbors who act like neighbors. We have a lot to be thankful for today, especially with the message of Easter added in.
2 comments:
You have some wonderful neighbours. Hardly ever see ours - not neighbourly at all!
Maybe you need warm weather and sun to have the sort of neighbours who come round and help with things?
I don't think that warm weather is the key, Gilly. People in harsh climates are sometimes highly aware of their neighbors.
Perhaps being at the edge of town is one factor. There's a bit of a pioneer spirit still here. Perhaps the uncertain economic times also make people a little more aware of their neighbors.
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