Hey, janie, and all.

Days are cool around here... more like Autumn than mid August. It didn't even hit 70 today. And neighborhoods in small towns aren't quite dead yet. For the last two days, our neighbors on our left have had a cookout on their deck, and while it isn't a front porch, it's raised enough so that they can see over our fence. We can hear their music, and they can hear ours. Yesterday was my son Pasha's birthday and we had a family gathering on the side of the house. Front, back, side... in some ways, all the same. We had a terrific time. Pasha, my wife Ruth, Pasha's son "Little" Pasha and I built a large, screened-in gazebo two summers ago, and this summer, we replaced a rotting wooden fence with a white vinyl one. We also laid a patio of paving stones, with a bar at one end. (No one in the family is a drinker, but the bar is festive, and can serve soda pop just as well as hard liquor. Pasha brought his tunes along, and I brought a portable CD player out to the side of the house. Pasha was playing soul music, and everyone was dancing on the patio. I was cooking on the grill: you definitely do not want to see me dance... it's dangerous to be too close to me when I do. Meanwhile, our neighbors directly behind us shared two bouquets of flowers, which graced the tables, as centerpieces, and contributed some freshly-picked tomatoes from their garden. Our neighbor also trims the hedge that separates our property, and takes great pride in doing a wonderful job. I help him out too, and we consulted with him on the section of new fence in the corner of our property that is shared with his. And that's the way it is in Mr. Rasmussen's neighborhood. Can you say "Peaceful", children? Most folks go out for a walk, so I've gotten to know almost everyone within six blocks (and their dogs.) Front porches may be gone around here, but neighborliness is still in fashion.

Jerry