HOPSCOTCH AND GOOD NEIGHBORS
When we move to a new home, the first thing I always do is introduce myself to my neighbors. Usually, its just a quick hello and mentioning that we just moved blah..blah..blah. However, sometimes I get lucky...!!
It's amazing how many good neighbors I had/have. It started with a friendly hello to hanging out on Sunday's with cookies. My first good neighbor was an old couple that lived across from me around when I started this blog. I would love going over to their house and drink tea while we talked about daily life things, it was simple and easy. We both had huge cherry blossom trees that I played in during spring, and during winter on snow days I loved baking English chocolate chip cookies and bringing a few over to them. I remember one Christmas I went over to their house to say thank you for everything, and a friendly Merry Christmas with a handmade card, and in exchange they gave me a golden violin Christmas tree ornament, which I still own today.
HAPPY DAYS IN JAMES BAY
James bay was a very friendly neighborhood, I enjoyed being there, it was calm and peaceful. We had a couple weird neighbors, but that's OK. Once we moved to James Bay, I introduced myself to everyone on my street. I just knocked on their door, and said hello, and had a quick conversation with everyone just to get to know them all a little better. But those quick conversations turned into helping with their gardening and sending letters to each-other with little gifts. It filled my heart to receive letters from my favorite neighbors every other day. Sometimes the older ladies across the street would get mad at me for picking the flowers, but trust me, there were lots of flowers to go around (for the bumble bees, and the people).
I loved James bay, we lived in a heritage house which had vines growing in through the windows, with lemon balm growing in the backyard. It was a special place that grew wildflowers every spring. The bumble bees would wander into the house, I would keep a shot glass and a spoon in the kitchen just in case I had to catch a bumble bee and let it free through our huge (rotting) windows. We had lots of memories at James bay, I remember the huge apples trees we had in the backyard, along with the grape vines and quince trees. I would pick apples and make apple crisp, or bake little tarts and pick cherries from our cherry tree. We had roses growing in though the window with dragon flies that would come in and say hello, it was wonderful.
IN THE END...
In the end I will always enjoy a good neighbor that is willing to put in the time to write silly little letters to a girl across the street, enjoying the wildflowers. Or play hopscotch with her, or even make hours worth of street art out of chalk with her, for the people who walk their dogs through James bay, through my favorite place.
I hope to find good people where ever I go, whether it be a new house, or neighborhood. Because, when you surround yourself with good people, and good energy, you create your own happiness, and your own prosperity.