Neighbors.

    Everyone has them.  There are backdoor neighbors, frontdoor neighbors, and nextdoor neighbors.   They may even be acres away, but they're still neighbors.  Songs have been sung, stories have been written, and jokes have been told...all about neighbors.  Then there's Mr. Rogers, who wanted everyone to be his neighbor.  
    Yesterday evening was the first time I'd really had a good conversation with one of our neighbors.  He's a farmer.  His dad is a farmer.  Basically he really knows his farming stuff.  He lives one county over though, so it's not often we see him.  Bought the land on three sides of us about 1 1/2 years ago when the lumber company was finished with it.  That man worked his tail feathers off clearing the land of the mess that was left and readying it for planting.  We had waved to each other on occasion as he was working and had briefly spoken over the fence - one time in particular that stands out is when my horse got a wild hair, gave me the hairy eyeball, and took me for a ride I'll never forget - but even so, as neighbors go we were pretty much strangers.
    Yesterday evening there was a knock at the door.  As I waded through the dogs to get to it I looked out to see our neighbor.  I stepped outside to get out of the dog chaos and there began our conversation.  You may not know this about me, but I like to talk.  Tell stories too.  Well, in the couple hours we ended up standing out there talking I found out he is too.  It was nice to yack it up with someone about everything from soup to nuts...er, more like horses to barn beams.  Hon got home from picking the Kid up from baseball practice and seemed to enjoy the conversation, too.  It was nice to finally get to know our neighbor a bit better.
    So, here's what I want you to do on account of tomorrow being Saturday...go visit your neighbor.  It's simple...Go. Visit. Your. Neighbor.  If you've never met, now is the time.  If you can't stand each other, be the one to offer the olive branch.  Even if you see your neighbor all the time, make it a point to go on over.  Don't give me an excuse, just do it.  You'll be glad you did, not to mention brighten your neighbor's day.  Smiling & Waving, Sharon