Life in the 'Hood

A few weeks ago we went to a neighborhood soup dinner, hosted by the couple next door. It was fun to meet a few new friends and learn a little about this area. We met a couple who have lived in this neighborhood for the past twenty years, whose daughter is getting married in the summer. Through the conversation I offered to give her a few of the things we used for our wedding. After all, what does one DO with a birdcage, or with leftover fake flower petals? Not exactly the type of decor that I would use around the house.

SO, passing it along to another future bride seems like a good idea for everyone involved. It's hardly a generous act on my part, though I am pleased that someone will able to use it.

Here is the interesting thing... I e-mailed our new friends and offered to drop the items off at her house. And she invited me over for tea! I have never been invited over for tea before. How quaint! I was so honored! I arrived at her house after work today, and we pulled up rocking chairs by her fireplace. She served me tea in little china cups and showed me how to use her honey jar. (I felt very uncultured, that I didn't know how to use it. But I belong to the Starbucks generation.) Meanwhile, she and her husband told me all about their upcoming wedding celebration, and different stories from the neighborhood. It seemed a bit ironic to sip tea while talking about drug busts and homeless people and kids slashing tires, etc. But apparently, this is life as normal here in the 'Hood. You enjoy your house, enjoy your neighbors, and learn to carry your cell phone and call the police.

In spite of the stories, I walked away very glad that we live here. I'm excited for the weather to warm up so that we can sit on the front porch, sip lemonade and talk to people as they walk by. In our world today, an "old fashioned" neighborhood is rare. This will be my opportunity to experience a different culture.

We'll have stories to tell, I'm sure. Most recently, there has been a rash of lawn ornament robberies. No word yet on whether or not they have a suspect...I'll keep you posted.