Then We'll Start It

I've complained about our neighborhood before. We don't live in the best of neighborhoods; not all of our neighbors are stellar.

We see all kinds of things in this neighborhood and because of it, nothing is ever left unlocked around here.

Since we've purchased the bocce ball set, we've been playing it a lot in the yard after dinner. It's a great way to work off a little bit of dinner! You know what? Neighbors who have never talked to us before are talking to us. Total strangers walking by actually stop to chat a bit. Mostly about the game, but people are actually talking to each other. We've had a few people promise they are going to join us one of these days!

Kids are another story. They have no problem coming up to us and asking if they can play. We have one in particular who is our neighbor, a few houses away. Ray-Ray is getting to be a regular at our bocce games! I'm guessing Ray-Ray is about eight years old. But, he's extremely polite, extremely outgoing and has a great throwing arm! He's a lot of fun to have around.

Neighbors. Families.

Since we've started playing bocce, one of the neighbors has set up a corn hole game in their yard. A good way for a family to pass some time after dinner as well. Tonight, before we started to play, we heard someone in the area playing horseshoes. Another good game.

So, maybe, a better neighborhood starts with someone setting an example of a better neighbor. We're talking to the neighbors, and playing games. That's got to be a great start. Who knows? If this keeps up, maybe the one neighborhood Mom who is heard telling her kids repeatedly to "get your f-ing a$$ over here" will learn a little bit too.

It's gotta start somewhere. Why not here.