For most of the time that we have lived here (since 1976) we have, in effect, had no neighbors.

The lots are all an acre, the guy on the east has three acres, and until recently the eight acres on the west side were undeveloped.

It's the west side that has the incredibly nice neighbors. They have a bunch of cats and a dog, which automatically makes them nice people. He's the guy who drilled a couple of holes so my weedwhackeer didn't fall apart when I used it.

And she's the one who brought me Thanksgiving leftovers.

At any rate, they suggested putting a gate between the yards, since it's about 300 yards from front door to front door. (The lots are 100x440 ft.)

Today I was doing some more weeding when T. (the woman) came over with some cookies and also some stale bread for the raccoons.

We discussed the hunting habits of two of our cats. Emma has not brought a fresh-killed mouse in to her like Lady did for me. But Lady and Emma and the cat (which I think belongs to the guy on the other side of) I call TomTom all hunt together. (We agreed that TomTom probably isn't a tom, but that's beside the point.)

And then I heard a mower. Her husband had come through the gate and was mowing down a path to the area I'd been clearing. This is going to make things so much easier.

At any rate, we all had a nice visit, and now we can get from one house to the other without having to pack provisions for a hike.

The rest of the day was IU. Groceries early, reading the Sunday paper, then the yard work.

But it was a nice day.

(And the raccoons should enjoy their treat.)