My new neighbor is very clever.

[NJCher]

63. your story/my neighborhood

I think that a lot of the families in the area don't have the money for expensive video games and stuff like that. Not a lot of new cars, etc. in the area. So, the kids go out and do stuff. Seems healthier to me.

I wasn't going to post this until you mentioned this, but here's the version of your story in my neighborhood:

Family moves in and puts up a basketball hoop. Since the houses in my neighborhood are on a mountain slope, the pavement where the hoop is is in a direct line to my kitchen, where I just put in two large windows so I could enjoy the sight of the forest while I cooked.

BAM. BAM. BAM with the basketball. It's like somebody hitting me over the head with a baseball bat.

I'm thinking, wow, looks like I'll have to take my cooking to the other end of the house and chop my peppers in the bedroom. Since I already have to leave my house while all the leaf blowing. weed wacking and other lawn service work is going on, I'm used to accommodating everyone.

However it all worked out very nicely because the neighbor's kid has the attention span of a flea. After about three BAMs I looked out and saw him texting and otherwise occupied with his phone. Next thing I know, he's gone.

That was last year. His parents try to get him to play outside more, but he can never make it past about three basket attempts. One time they arranged for some other kids to come over and play and that lasted a little longer, but not much.

The other day, while working my garden, I noticed the kid trundling down the street, what looks like all 250 pounds of him, with his little man-boobies shaking under his T-shirt.

Anyway, your story was nice. We have some very funny kids on the other side of the neighborhood who come around and talk and make jokes. They're fun and some of their remarks and observations are priceless.


Cher