She cups two hands around her mouth as we drive by, and I hear her voice through the open window, tank top stuck sweaty to my back: “I’ve got popsicles – come down!”
The boys jump out of the mini-van before I even turn the engine off. They skip up the sidewalk to the green house with the red chili pepper lights and plunk onto the front porch steps next to Oliver the orange cat.
“What color?” she asks, screen door snapping shut as she fans a rainbow. The boys mull like it’s the first time, every time.
By the time I reach the steps, all three slurp sweet ice from frigid plastic. We sit quietly, waiting to see if the downy woodpecker will cling to the suet feeder, if a hummingbird will swoop toward the scarlet globe and hover there like a giant bumble bee.
When they’re done, the boys slip the limp sheaths into the empty flower pot in the corner and lick sticky fingers clean. Rowan might hurl the plastic blue boomerang across the street once or twice. Noah might sprawl on the sidewalk, stroke Oliver’s fur warm from the sun.
Then they’ll scamper down the sidewalk while I linger, flip flops abandoned on the worn wood, bare feet tucked under the floral cushion, in the breezy shade of the front porch.
How are you enjoying community with your neighbors these days?
Michelle you make me want to come to your neighborhood. I want to see your neighbors, meet your boys and enjoy the time spent with you.
I love this post. Thank you for sharing. I miss that Midwestern hospitality among neighbors. I wrote a post about trying to meet a new neighbor by taking them a plate of cookies…it didn't go so well. I've lived here almost 5 years and I have never sat on the porch of any of my neighbors. Welcome to the east coast, I guess!
As always…I love your writing!
Mary
http://memyselfandmercy.blogspot.com
My 86 year old neighbour and I commune over gardening now… her peony bush (and the one that failed to bloom), her rapidly growing tomato plants. She wanders over to me when I garden and says uncertainly, 'I think I might be slowing down.' She seems almost offended it should happen so soon. 🙂
I'll have a blue popsicle, please. 🙂
We are hot here too:) Our area just opened a water park where I plan to spend a lot of time! Icees are a fond childhood memory for me:)
There's not much porch sitting around here. Sad. I grew up in a neighborhood where every couple was another set of parents for us kids. I miss that. Love that you're enjoying the summer with kind neighbors.
I took a long walk with my next door neighbor last night. Great way to build relationships. We talked, laughed, waited on my dog to do his business. Love me some community!
Now I want a push pop.
Love this!
Popsicles on the porch?
Does it get better than that?
I don't think so.
Called out for popsicles. What could be better than that?
Happy Summer, Michelle! 🙂