Chronicles of Chaos

August 16, 2007 | Print

Our New Neighborhood

There are two very cool things about our neighborhood.

The first happens the third day. I’m unloading kids and groceries down the stairs to the house when our neighbor peeks over the fence to say hello. The next afternoon, her two sons notice us in our same routine and ask if they can come over.

They walk up the dirt path between our houses and trot through the back door. Amelia and Wyatt give them a tour, they test a few toys, tell a few stories and cruise back home for dinner.

The second happens most every night. I turned the dining room (because we so rarely dine) into my office. After I put the kids to bed, I do something supposedly constructive in my new office which seems not to include writing.

That’s when the music starts. A neighbor on the other side of the house turns it up and has very good taste–better than mine and a wide range of styles. I’m not sure, but I think they may even play their own. It’s just the right volume for background.

Because we live on this steep hill with difficult parking, no sidewalks and hidden front doors, I haven’t seen them, or anyone really other than the friendly family in the house on the other side of us.

But I’m really glad they’re here.

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