GOOD NEIGHBORS?

I’ve always tried to be a good neighbor. My wife and I are not ones to have noisy parties, junk up our front or backyard, nor have we become a public nuisance by flying up and down the street in our vehicles. I can’t say the same about some folks living around us.

The neighbor to the north of us had been a pain in the neck going way back. Frank was hooked on opioids, and it showed. At times, he was menacing and threatening, one time telling my wife that he’d shoot our dog claiming it was defecating in his yard. Joleen always had Simon on a leash so that was impossible. I took Frank aside one day and had a talk with him. I won’t mention exactly what was said, but from that point on the man never bothered us, in fact, he was most cordial.

Frank told me that he was injured years ago while working at a prison facility. The damage to his spine was so bad that he relied upon drugs to ease the constant pain. I listened, telling him before leaving that I’d pray for him.

Approximately one month ago, Frank snapped, intentionally setting his home on fire. The fire trucks arrived within minutes, but before the blaze was totally extinguished his place was destroyed. Police were then called in, and they arrested the man for arson in an occupied dwelling, a felony. He’ll most likely never leave prison after this, yet having three square meals a day, great medical care, and top-notch entertainment, in Frank’s confused state of mind is undoubtedly the best place for him.

Our neighbor to the south is a different story. A nice woman purchased the house with us believing that she’d live there, but she rented the place out once everything closed which is fine. A couple quickly moved in bringing their commercial business with them. Heavy trucks with backup alarms came and went during all hours of the day and night. I didn’t say anything out of trying to be a good neighbor. One morning, I fired my old hot rod up to drive it to a car show and that evidently upset them. I apologized, saying that there were only two shows a year where I did such.

The renter has let this place go, with weeds flowering up all around like it’s a desert garden. Some of them are scorpion weed which spreads like wildfire. So far, our weed control agent has kept from them encroaching on our property, but the days are numbered. Being a very patient person, I elected to bite my lip on saying anything.

This morning I heard a loud commotion, with me hurrying out the door to see what was up. A moving truck was at this place along with a contingent of other vehicles. Miracles do happen, because these folks are relocating to the Phoenix area. Who’ll take their place and what kind of people they’ll be at this time is unknown, as you just never know. The new renters could turn out to be good neighbors, or neighbors from, well, you know the other word!

I’ll mosey over there soon after writing this piece and bid them farewell. Afterall, that’s what good neighbors are supposed to do!