There was a very quiet knock on the door tonight during Gongyo. My neighbor was on the porch with his oldest son. "Uh Mimi, could you unlock the gate so we could get the RV Tarp off your roof." Usually when I am chanting it takes a moment to get my attention. No need to refocus. Trying to visualize the RV tarp laying on the side of my roof was too hard, I had to go out and SEE this.
Yup, it's Modesto. Land of the really big trucks and SUV's. Except here people actually use them for work not just play. My neighbors pour concrete, do iron work, haul all sorts of stuff around. Even though this place masquerades as a city we are just a gust of wind away from Dairies and all sorts of farms. Canneries and Olive Oil pressing company are walking distance away. I even got myself a little SUV so my vehicle was high profile enough so all these trucks and land yachts wouldn't run me down. Besides I have a bit of the hauling act going. The other major job in my community is hauling stuff so you can improve your yard and house. I haven't sported the cowboy hat and boots yet, but I can feel it coming.
I love my neighbors, really I do. When I intergrated the block nearly 8 years ago, I wasn't sure how I would be received. Folks gave ice cream socials to welcome me. When I went on bedrest pregnant with my son, there was a whole troupe of people checking in on me. Last fall, when unhappy parents of patients made my life difficult, my neighbors did an informal watch on the house and made sure we were safe. My RV neighbor even offered my some fire power just in case.I told him no but I would speed dial him if I needed his help; I developed a whole new appreciation for his NRA dad.
So I have learned to have a real sense of humor when stuff happens on my block. My neighbors are protective of me; I also look out for them. They know I do some "Buddhist thing" but never give me a hard time about it. I'm not one for aggressive shakabuku. I focus on being a friendly neighbor.
Yes, the tarp came off the roof with the help of another neighbor. Now if only my next door neighbor will fix the sprinkler that the Cement truck cracked coming up his driveway (that's a whole 'nuther story).
In due time. Gives us something to talk about in the front yard...
Hoping the wind dies down so I don't have more surprises on the roof in the morning.
3 snaps to the wind...
Dr. Mimi
Posted by drmimi at April 13, 2004 09:08 PM