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August 24, 2009

I'll Huff And I'll Puff And I'll Blow Your Mailbox Down

We get strong winds in this part of the country. Some days at work as I carry out boxes or bags to the dumpster, the wind picks me up and pushes me toward the dumpster. But coming back to the building, going against the wind, I have to honker down and push hard to walk and then it takes strength to open the side door and not get squished trying to get inside.

The other day our next door neighbors signaled to us as they returned to their driveway and were pointing out that the mailbox in front of our house was down on its side. They met us at the mailbox and we could see that the wooden post was broken into bits. We rent this house, so we didn't have a hand in the installing of the mailbox, but it seemed pretty clear that the landlord did not treat the wood and the wooden post wasn't in the ground very deep and no concrete was used to set the post. The wind had been too strong for hubby to ride his bike that day, so we figured that the wind caused the mailbox post to keel over.

The men got to work deciding the best solution and they headed to their garages and returned with tools and steel rods and proceeded to work together to stand the mailbox upright and pound stakes and make sure it would be secure for the next heavy duty midwest wind.

We wives chatted happily and it turned out to be a great visit for all of us and the mailbox is standing proud and strong in the front yard. Our neighbors have been in their house over 30 years and we found this house on the internet and were drawn here last year by the location. But one of the best things about this house is the wonderful next door neighbors. They love us and we love them. When we are outside as they leave their driveway, she blows kisses to us and they wave hello and goodbye and we visit at the fence often. I think the now standing mailbox is not the only sturdy thing in this cul-de-sac. The friendship with our neighbors is growing stronger and more dear each day. The wind can't blow that down!!

16 comments:

Unknown said...

... such strong wind you have there. And so happy you spent quality time over a fallen mailbox. Seriously. Because I rarely have such moments.

CiCi said...

Hi Shadowthorne, I know, isn't it great that just fixing the mailbox could be a nice friendly time for us and our neighbors? They are so sweet.

Cindy said...

It is great to have great neighbors next door. I am actually godmother to the daughter of the fellow living next door. He is busy with a new business now, but he is always around. He actually dug my pond in the back yard, he said it was a 15 minute job. So we are blessed by people all around, some come and some go. some you just carry around in our hearts too.

Lou said...

This makes me feel guilty that I hardly know my neighbors...the one across the street I actually avoid going to the mailbox when I see his garage door open.

A man three doors down has lived in the same house for over 20 years. (I've never seen him). Apparently his wife died last winter, and not of his neighbors came over.

I "know" more about some bloggers than I do that man. Sad.

Anonymous said...

I've had bad neighbours at our old house - from the argumentative to the just plain weird - so I know just what a gift it is when neighbours are nice and helpful and friendly...just as they are at our current house. We're lucky, aren't we? :)

Brian Miller said...

good neighbors make a neighborhood...ours now are pretty much homebodies...as in the only time they come out is to cut the grass...i miss good neighbors.

Margie said...

How wonderful you have such wonderful & loving neighbors!
We have some just like that!
What a joy it is!
Loved this post!

Margie:)

Sabi Sunshine said...

i know it was thunderstorm here too while ago. how you doing ?

Ronda Laveen said...

Sometimes the most insignificant things can be such strong symbols of meaningful things. That is a beautiful mailbox!

Ina in Alaska said...

What a lovely post. Nice neighbors make all the difference. I have had a glass of Champagne every Thursday afternoon at 4 PM with my neighbor Joan for the past 10+ years. Lots of established families on our block too. Our other neighbors two houses down decided to redo their mailbox this summer and we all had a nice time chatting while they worked on their mailbox redo. Also walking the 3 dogs helps make lots of friends among old and young in the 'hood.

Big Dave T said...

My wife and I are pretty shy and don't often talk with our neighbors. In fact, the lady across the street came over today to deliver an errant piece of mail and asked what happened to our dog. We had to tell her that he died eight months ago.

A Free Man said...

Good neighbors are a good thing, aren't they? Makes all the difference in the world.

We had gale force winds last night. I thought our roof was going to come off, but we're all in one piece this morning.

Annie said...

Very lovely...so nice to hear a happy story about neighbors! And congratulations on your mention on David McMahon's post of the day!

Clippy Mat said...

good neighbours are hard to find. if you want to have them you've got to be one. (i don't and i'm not.) sadly.
nice post and thanks for visiting me the other day. :-)

Brian Miller said...

back to say congrats on the POTD mention!

Elizabeth Bradley said...

How lucky your are! Good neighbors are priceless. Congrats on POTD!