I was talking to some neighbors yesterday about--neighbors. Neighbors are unique friends if you're lucky, as we are, to like each other. We have a good block here. We have a Neighborhood Watch with two block captains, we notify each other when we're going to be out of town and we keep an eye out for the old folks. Moms share kid duties and dog owners share dog duties. Sometimes we run errands for each other. We have an annual block party and socialize at other times, too, just because we want to.When there's a tragedy, which happens, we do our best to be whatever support we can. It could mean calling the cops or the fire department. It could mean standing by, in case. Or just feeding the fish.
Yet we don't all know each others' private business. And that might be best, living in relatively close quarters. My closest friends live in other parts of Pasadena and Altadena, plus Burbank and Skokie and Cincinnati. They're the ones who've heard all about my dirty laundry.
My neighbors, though--they've actually seen me wearing it.
24 comments:
Your neighbourhood sounds lovely, Petrea! Ours is a little more arms-length, but there's still a nice sense of us keeping an eye out for each other - and always the nods and Hello's when people pass by, walking their dogs. {LOL ~ great 'laundry' line!}
It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
Would you be mine
Could you be mine
It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood
A neighborly day for a beauty
Would you be mine
Could you be mine
I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you
So, let's make the most of this beautiful day
Since we're together we might as well say
Would you be mine, could you be mine
Won't you be my neighbor
Won't you please, won't you please
Please won't you be my neighbor
~ Fred Rogers
Seems you have a wonderful neighborhood !! Nice one..
It is, Shell, and yours sounds nice, too. I hear of so many neighborhoods where no one speaks to each other.
Monica, I never thought Fred Rogers would be quoted on my blog. I'll have to start swearing.
Thanks, Unseen! Always glad to see you.
Yes, neighbors are a special category -- the practical friend. If you're wearing dirty laundry, an intimate friend will ask you why and what's the matter and let's get to the bottom of this. A practical friend, on the other hand, will help you wash it.
It's nice to know you were talking to some of your Pasadena neighbors yesterday about other neighbors, etc. And, y'all leave each other to do your private bizness in peace. Good category of neighbors, indeed.
In contrast, P, you may have read recently about some of the neighbors to the north of us who may be of questionable taste: Their endless pursuit of love, money, & Sex. E.g., the neighbors get scared by one old man in a constant state of ecstasy who screams at women to, "shake it!"
How do I know this may be true? I read it on the net. Although, I could be wrong - I can be a little dense & tune out during long blog posts
These type are obviously an unusual or special category of neighbor.
Or at least let me wash it at her house when my machine breaks down, right, Hiker?
Cafe, I did hear about that. From the Hiker, I think. Scandalous. But I guess ecstasy isn't the worst thing to have in a neighbor.
Oh, you've given us such a quotable quote today, Miss P! What a wonderful post.
Sounds like neighborhoods of old (except for the part of not knowing each others' business). Nice post!
Such a lovely image of the tea lights and bouganvilla
I've said it before but I'll say it again. Petrea you have one of the best written CDP blogs around. Today you had heart warming and humour all in one. And the photo is just beautiful.
I just took a picture of a gate HERE and I am now typing this on one knee because kitty stole my computer chair in the meantime.
The gate is in a block wall between my house and the neighbor's house. This is how it used to be. Fortunately, Earl, the neighbor on the other side, retired computer teacher from LA Trade Tech, is very friendly. We don't pass through the gate, but we often converse over it.
There is an exception: the patios are adjoining, save for the block wall, and if we are both Barbecuing at the same time, we will turn our backs to hide our secrets.
Thanks, Laurie. Yours today is quite special as well.
Hello, FA, and welcome. It does feel old fashioned, in a good way.
Thanks, Susan.
Marley, I'm sitting here by myself blushing. Thank you.
They say good fences make good neighbors, Greg.
What a lovely post. Makes me want to live on your block Petrea.
Lucky you...lucky neighbors
Such a lovely picture, P, and lovely thoughts about the essence of being a neighbor. Many of my neighbors have become lifelong friends. I have, however, been happy to see the backs of some, as the moving van pulled away.
Cute. And Skokie? Do the SoCals know Skokie?
Best bagels I've ever had are from Skokie. On Touhy.
LL
It2s always very comforting to have good neighbours. You are lucky..
Not surprisingly, it's not often that a house changes hands here. But new people just moved in last week. We're all eager to get to know them better. Hope we don't freak them out. Irina, you'd fit right in.
That is sweet, Desiree.
Denise! Hahahahaha!
You, Desiree, Lori Lynn and Susan C. should all meet. Do food bloggers read each others' food blogs?
Lori Lynn, aren't a lot of people here from Skokie? One of my best friends after college ended up there. But sure, Skokie's famous.
Aysegul, living here reminds us to check in on our gratitude daily. It's a blessing.
'Tis better to wear dirty laundry than to air dirty laundry. Or words to that effect. :D
Thanks for the welcome, Petrea. I'm a friend of Lori Lynn. It's nice to meet you.
I'm thinking about it, Cali. It's a tough choice.
I thought I recognized your link from San Pedro Daily Photo, FA. Nice to meet you, too.
this picture looks so romantic
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