(Reprinted from SEPTEMBER 3, 2017)
I loved living in the city where life is fast paced and convenient. But there were times when I wished I had slowed things down a bit just to appreciate my neighbors and my surroundings. In our busy lives of kids, work, church and social obligations; few of us take the time to truly get to know the people who live only steps away from us. Inquiring about their family, their interests or maybe even to deliver a baked good. Sometimes the only conversation from one house to another is a wave and a quick hello.
When Cowboy and I first moved out to Pidcoke, we were sitting on the front porch, (but not in rocking chairs because that would make us sound really old) looking at our newly acquired piece of debt. Sweet Jesus. I mentioned to Cowboy that this is the perfect place to slow things down and make memories. And, that meeting our neighbors was on my to do list.
Cowboy started telling me about who lives where, what their names are and how many cows they have.
Wait… he knows how many cows they have?
Ok, I may be new at this country living thing, but people meet for the first time and talk about cows? What about kids, grandkids or dogs? And then I remembered a conversation I was having with a friend. She had mentioned that she lived on a ranch as well. I asked her if she had cattle (Cowboy would be proud of me for asking that question, I’m a quick learner). She said yes. I told her how I loved to watch the baby cows play. She then asked me what kind of cattle we were raising?
Ummm, I said black and white ones and sometimes we have red cows. She looked at me and laughed.
Note to self: ask Cowboy what kind of cows we have.
You would have thought that he would have taught me about the cows that he plays with daily OR maybe he did and I wasn’t listening. That happens occasionally.
I remembered that back in my (pre)pretend cowgirl days I didn’t quite know the difference in a few of the smaller variety of farm animals. I kept my way of thinking as simple as possible. I had other important things to think about. Like which cheetah print shoes would work best with each outfit. Restocking my M&M supply. And what restaurant had the best ice cream.
Yep…the important things.
I also remembered that I’ve always thought a sheep is a goat and a goat is a lamb.
Honestly y’all who can tell the difference?
Apparently everyone except me. But no worries, Cowboy schooled me on them. However, I will deny your request for a pop quiz.
Back to the story –
After Cowboy finished telling me about our neighbors I asked him “How do you already know so much about them”?
COWBOY: I went by the other day and introduced myself to some of them while you were gone.
Look at him…acting so neighborly.
ME: Where was I and how many cows do they have?
Yep, I’m getting the hang of this.
COWBOY: If I were guessing, you were probably out shopping or eating.
ME: Let’s try to have this conversation without the sarcasm, ok?
COWBOY: Alright then (chuckling again). They want to meet you, why don’t you go and introduce yourself?
ME: I can do that? I can just go to their house without calling first?
COWBOY: Yes, what do you think will happen, that they’ll shoot you?
ME: Yes, that thought did cross my mind. But, I’ll go and invite them to dinner. I might even try a new recipe!
COWBOY: We have to live amongst these neighbors for a long time. Let’s just stick to 1 of the 7 things that you cook really well.
…to be continued next sunday y’all.
𝔁𝓸, 𝓣𝓪𝓶𝓶𝔂 ❥
