There’s a difference between a good neighbor and a close neighbor. I grew up in a close neighborhood where the kids played together and the adults were friends. The adults organized a big Labor Day picnic every year that was tons of fun. For many years, the kids held a “carnival for muscular dystrophy,” which was a bunch of silly games and performances (think magic shows and baton twirling) in which we attempted to raise a few dollars for Jerry’s Kids.

Our nextdoor neighbors were a big part of our lives. We didn’t hesitate to go nextdoor and ask for a cup of sugar (and vice versa), if we discovered we were out midway through baking some cookies.

As an adult, I lived in one neighborhood that might have passed the sugar test. For a few years, there was a critical mass of moms who were home during the day and we hung out. I could’ve asked one of them for a cup of sugar, if I needed it.

After that, we moved to a bigger house in a different town – a subdivision. Here we have two acre lots and beautiful lawns. The lawns are a big deal. We did have a little outdoor neighbordhood gathering last weekend, but it’s not the same as the old days. The one neighbor I had here that would’ve passed the sugar test got divorced and moved to a condo downtown. (I still see her, but she’s not technically a neighbor anymore.)

These days the Number One quality of a good neighbor is that they’re quiet. If they don’t mow their lawns at 8pm or use a dreaded leafblower for hours on Saturday morning, I’m good. The noise of children is an exception. I love hearing kids play. We currently have no annoying dogs nearby, but we do have a problem. A big one. Some people moved in next door and built a chicken coop, which is not unusual, but then they did the one thing that cannot be overlooked or forgiven – they got a rooster.