Meet and Greet

Yesterday was the annual neighbourhood get together. There's a church down the street from us, which hosts this shindig. Last year, we had just gotten possession of "The Pokeway" and were a couple of weeks too late to join in. So we looked forward to it all year. Close to the beginning of September, we got a flyer in the mailbox, inviting us to come. It promised everything you'd want in a neighbourhood party: mini-golf, face-painting, a BBQ, and best of all, the lawn tractor race.

I have to admit, I was a little hesitant to go. The reason being, that our sheep have become something of a neigbourhood legend. And not in a good way. They have gotten out and gone exploring so many times, I was a little worried about having to 'fess up that we were the owners.

In fact, a few weeks ago, when I had to go and meet yet another neighbour to ask if I could use their bathroom (since we still didn't have a toilet, and one of our young visitors really needed to use one), I found out that they had been in her field "LOTS." She was very good-natured about it, and joked about another neighbour whom they had seen with something hanging out of their trunk, which they thought might have been sheep feet. But still, I felt bad that we have put our neighbours through so much in this year of transition. And I wasn't looking forward to having to introduce myself to other neighbours who might have had to put up with our sheep without our knowing it.

So I kind of dragged my heels about showing up. However, my husband was gung-ho to go and that's saying something, since he's not usually into the social scene. So off we went.

We arrived around 4:30. The kids were lining up to go on the bike parade. One of the neighbours owns a bike shop, and he led the way. I didn't see where all they went, but apparently they knew the route. There were lots of people there. It was soon apparent, that there is a camaraderie in this little community, which is refreshing and almost a 'lost art'. We were soon welcomed by our next door neighbour and she eased me into meeting a few other people.

The BBQ was delicious. They served real hamburgers, and farmer sausage, lots of salads, and chips and homemade pickles. (As my Dad would say "Home was never this good!") We enjoyed the meal at the face-painting table, which had been abandoned due to the rain. Conversation flowed easily. And in spite of the weather, it felt like we were part of something precious.

After dinner, the ride-em lawn mower owners set up for the races. Someone had cut a swath through their field for a 'race track'. Apparently, there are people who spend all year, souping up their lawn mowers. There was one gentleman who had gone to such lengths, that his mower looked more like a semi truck wanna-be.

There were several trial runs and then the major race around the track.

Everyone cheered for the little guy.

He had a lot of heart, and not much mower. And at the very end, he won, because the other guy ran out of steam. And the guy who had souped his up to look like a semi-wannabe, blew his motor up in a puff of smoke, followed by a puff of flames. It was very impressive.

After the races, we said farewell, and then and walked home - very soggy, but glad that we had gone. My husband had to hold me back from singing "Won't you be my neighbour" all the way home. Then, for the first time, our dryer was put to use, drying all our sopping wet clothes. And we found all the ingredients to make a cup of hot chocolate and set up the one bed room to enjoy a little t.v. while we warmed up. It was a really good afternoon - and the first time it felt like we will soon be at home in this community.