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April 21, 2007
The Neighborhood Information Network will be buzzing tonight....
I'm turning over my flower bed today, the one I plan to put my bleeding hearts in, if they ever arrive, and I'm interrupted by my neighbor guy. Would I like him to mow my yard, it wouldn't cost a penny? Maybe the fairy tale writer missed it, but I know sometimes knights in shining armor arrive on riding lawnmowers. His wife arrived shortly after to keep me company as I worked at erradicating any sign of the ivy plants which covered the side of my house when I bought it last fall.
Hers is a welcome distraction, as well as an induction into the NIN (Neighborhood Information Network). She confirmed my suspicions that a previous renter had parked his semi-truck in my front yard, effectively killing my grass and creating ruts across my drive. And my suspicions that my happy little home had witnessed some violent fights. And my suspicions that a sweet little girl inhabited the room where I found tiny hair clips and evidence of pink paint on the wall. As I picked dried up roots and little glass gems from the dirt I silently hoped the little girls life is happier now, wherever she is.
Did I have anyone to mow my yard this summer? No, I was planning on doing my best. Her boys were just the right age to be wanting to earn money by mowing yards. Perfect! Not only did I get my flower bed AND yard done in one afternoon, I also negotiated a way out of mowing for the entire summer.
When the yard work was finished, and we were feeling sufficiently rested in the shade of my patio the two wandered off, string trimmer in hand. I raked, and piled trimmings with the sticks in the backyard, waiting to be burned. And turned over more dirt. And thought about what plant would be happiest there. And wondered if my bleeding hearts will ever arrive.
As the sun sinks lower I imagine the conversations being held over fences and through open car windows and while returning borrowed riding lawnmowers tonight turn to the strange reclusive neighbor lady. Who doesn't think she needs a man to take care of her. And loves a job where even her boss can't understand why she's still there. And works her garden in a white shirt. And hires neighbor boys to mow her yard, because they want to earn some money. And can't find her gardening gloves even though she JUST had them.
Posted by Anna at April 21, 2007 7:41 PM