Megan Byrd

Writer

neighbor

These Are My Neighbors (Part 12)

We’ve now officially been in our house for a year. Interactions with our neighbors have ebbed and flowed for a variety of reasons – school, weather, a pandemic – but I haven’t given up. While I may have moped a bit here and there while spending so much time at home, I’ve continued to be inspired to reach out in different ways to those on our street. Read on to hear about the past month’s interactions. Consider reading about our first month in the house for comparison.

06-28-20

We stained the deck this morning and saw our neighbor K2 walking her dog. She came over to check out Adam’s garden.

07-10-20

I saw K2 while out walking and we said hi.

J7 sent me a FB friend request and I accepted it.

07-11-20

Adam and I decided on dates for another beach trip and I texted S1 to see if she would be willing to take care of our cat for us. She agreed.

07-13-20

Adam and I went for an evening walk and saw S2 and J7, separately. We said hi to both.

07-14-20

While staring at my disinfected, socially-distanced chairs on the front porch, I had an idea to see if any of my neighbors might be interested in coming over for a porch chat. I texted two neighbors who both seemed open to the idea so we’ll see if it happens.

07-15-20

I walked around the neighborhood this morning and said hi to B1 and S2.

K2 texted in the afternoon to ssee if it was a good time for a porch chat but unfortunately I was occupied. Hopefully we can get it to work out soon.

07-19-20

S1 texted to let us know there was a bear in her backyard. It was already gone when we looked out the window.

07-22-20

S2 texted me to see if tomorrow morning would work for getting together to talk. I said it was a great time.

07-23-20

S2 came over a little after nine and we sat on the porch and talked for about an hour. I learned that her daughter will be here this fall because her grad school classes are online. S2 is in between churches and seeing most of her clients via Zoom meetings. She likes swimming and bike riding, has a book group, and used to be a curator at Biltmore Estate! It sounds like she’s done a lot of traveling so maybe next time I can learn where all she’s lived. It was a great first porch chat. K2 was walking laps while we were talking and we said hi to her.

I took the house key over to S1 to watch our cat while we’re gone. I gave her some cookies. She had dropped two new pillows off for the kids earlier. I asked if she’d be interested in a porch chat when we were back from the beach and she said she was interested.

*****

I’m fairly impressed that we’ve interacted at least once with everyone on our street. The pandemic stemmed any real chance for regular hangouts, but I’ve learned that the more time we spend out front in our yard or driveway, the higher our odds of interacting with our neighbors. There’s often someone walking their dog or getting some exercise who passes by our house in the middle of the street. I also like the idea of porch talks and delivering baked goods and will continue to utilize these methods. Perhaps when the pandemic is over, we can start inviting neighbors inside for meals. What methods have worked best for you in getting to know your neighbors?

Being Neighborly in a Pandemic (Part 11)

We’ve completed another month of living in the time of coronavirus. We ventured out a little more than in previous months, but we’re still spending the majority of our time at home, which means the people we see the most live in the houses around us. Read on to learn about our interactions with neighbors over the past month.

05-26-20

I walked the loop and said hi to K2 who was walking her dog.

05-27-20

Kaitlyn made some brownies for S1 to say “thank you” for watching Maui while we were gone. I took them over and we talked for a while. I came home with a book she thought I’d like and some cookies B2 had baked.

05-29-20

I tried to take some treats to our neighbors J2 and E2 but when I emailed them to let them know about the treats I learned that they are out of town for the weekend. We’ll take them something when they’re back in town.

05-31-20

I cut some of our hydrangea flowers, put them in S1’s vase, and returned it to her. We texted back and forth about a book she’s reading.

E2 sent me an email thanking me for the gesture and asked if I enjoyed baking. She said we should talk.

06-04-20

Kaitlyn and I made cookies to take to the neighbors. We dropped some off next door and said hi to D1. Next was J2 and E2. We talked for awhile to J2 before E2 came out at the end. J2 said he still has to go into work but it’s usually an empty office and that E2 retired from her school after this year. They have four kids, three men and a woman, all spread out across the country. I learned J2’s mother passed away and that’s why they were out of town last weekend.

We rang M1 and D1’s doorbell but there was no answer so we left the cookies on a table and I’ll contact them to let them know.

Last, we took some to K1 and B1. K1 answered the door and we talked outside for a bit. She said that sometimes she hosts women for a socially-distanced hang out and asked if I was interested. I said I was.

M1, D1, and L2 stopped by to say thanks for the cookies. We all stood out in the driveway and talked for awhile. We learned L2’s birthday is Saturday. Exciting! I was very glad for the chance to connect with them.

06-09-20

K1 brought over the container that had contained the cookies we’d given her and we chatted for a little bit.

06-11-20

We talked to S1 from our deck into her backyard while Adam was grilling dinner. She said she’s been venturing out a little more and said there was a good outdoor space to hang out while still social distancing at a Burning Blush Brewery.

06-15-20

A bag was dropped off on our front porch this morning. When Kaitlyn opened it up, there were art supplies, candy, and a thank you note from J2 and E2 for the cookies. That was sweet of them.

06-16-20

I emailed J2 my phone number and he responded with his and E2’s.

06-19-20

We made a spontaneous trip out of town. We had Amazon packages dropped off and I asked S1 if she could pick them up and hold them for us. She agreed.

06-22-20

I texted S1 after lunch to pick up our packages. Kaitlyn decided to go over with me and S1 ended up giving us a tour of all of her flowers.

06-24-20

While cleaning the front porch this morning, I saw T2 walking her dogs and said hi.

We did get to talk more with neighbors this past month. The cookies appeared to be a big hit. Perhaps we’ll continue to make and take treats to our neighbors as an excuse to hang out and chat. Have you been able to connect with your neighbors? Share how you have reached out to others who live near you.

Being Neighbors (Part 10)

With another month of staying home as much as possible, I’ve seen my neighbors most in-person. We took treats to some neighbors to try to let them know they are being thought of. We have focused mainly on the people we already had some connection with or who we know live alone but probably should expand to some of our others as well.

04-25-20

I went for a walk this evening and saw L1 and her son playing basketball in their driveway. I waved hi.

04-26-20

While planting our garden today, we saw K2 out walking the loop.

04-27-20

Adam cooked a pork butt and we had a lot of leftovers so I texted a couple of neighbors to see if they wanted any. I took some to S1 and S2. It felt good to be able to share with our neighbors.

05-06-20

I finally made some gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and took them over to our neighbor L1 for her and her son. I emailed her to let her know they were on her porch because that’s the only contact info I have for her.

05-08-20

I went jogging around the neighborhood this morning and said hi to S2, J4, and T2. It was nice to see neighbors.

05-11-20

I took a graduation card over to J5, one of our babysitters and neighbors. Her dad, J4, met me at the door and we talked for a few minutes standing apart. I asked if he would be willing to answer questions about being a lawyer for book research. He agreed. He also mentioned that he might like to write a book himself someday.

05-12-20

I went for a walk around the neighborhood and saw S1 on one of my laps. We started talking and then K1 came over and joined us for a few minutes. I waved to S2 on my way back to the house.

05-15-20

I took a few laps this morning because it’s a gorgeous day. I talked to S1 for a few minutes. The neighbor on the opposite corner stopped me for a few minutes to talk about his grandkids who are staying with his ex-son-in-law who lives in the middle of the street.

05-17-20

J7 stopped by and dropped off homemade bread.

05-18-20

I asked S1 if she could watch our cat when we go to the river house in a few days and she agreed.

05-20-20

I dropped a house key off at S1’s house and gave her instructions for our cat.

05-21-20

I texted J7 to thank her for the bread she dropped off. S1 texted a picture of Maui Cat to say everything was fine.

05-22-20

S1 texted me another picture of Maui.

05-23-20

S1 sent me the daily Maui picture. I told her we’d be back Monday.

05-24-20

S1 sent me texts and a picture of Maui. She later texted to let me know she brought in a package and left us some peonies from her yard. My favorite flower!

*****

It was nice to finally break out of our own four walls for a few days. It was such a refreshing breath for all of us. I know that it’s a blessing to have somewhere to go while still being safe. Have you been able to get away for a few days? Have you been taking goodies to your neighbors? Have you gotten to know your neighbors better due to COVID-19? Please share your past month’s experience with me.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (Part 9)

This has been our first whole month of staying at home full-time. Thankfully, the weather has been nice more days than not and we’ve been able to be outside a lot. It has given us lots of face time with our neighbors, which is nice. It also helped me to meet someone new who lives down the street. We also got a glimpse at the only people in our neighborhood we haven’t yet met. I am thankful that we do live somewhere where we can see other people from time-to-time. I think it would be harder to be more physically secluded from all people.

03-26-20

Yesterday was a sunny day so the kids and I walked the loop and saw neighbor K2.

We were outside this afternoon enjoying the sun and I saw K2 again as well as K1, S1, and B2. We all stayed a safe distance away from one another while we talked.

03-27-20

The kids and I went for a walk at the Arboretum to have some outside time since it’s gorgeous outside and we have a pass. The parking lot was full and we saw about two dozen people but spaced far apart. We saw K2 before and after our trip and I reported on the people situation at the Arboretum.

03-29-20

Adam and I went walking this afternoon. We saw K1 from a distance and waved Yesterday I saw K2 outside multiple times. She was enjoying the warm weather.

03-30-20

The kids and I were outside in the afternoon but didn’t see anyone. Our state is on mandatory lockdown (except for essential trips) as of five o’clock tonight. The Arboretum is now closed so there isn’t anywhere close to hike/walk. We will carry on.

04-05-20

Adam and I walked the loop and saw J2 and B1 outside. While watering the berry bushes I saw S1 and we talked for a little bit.

04-06-20

The kids and I were outside for awhile. I saw T1, K2, B1, K1, and S1 all out enjoying the sunny day.

04-07-20

Today the kids and I dropped off treats at a couple of our neighbors’ houses and I texted them so they knew.

04-10-20

We received a thank you note from one of the neighbors for the treats we dropped off.

04-17-20

Today the kids and I took a walk around the loop before lunch. Our elderly neighbor at the end of the street stopped us to chat for a bit. It was his first time meeting the kids. I’d met him at the HOA meeting in December.

In the evening, our family went outside to play basketball. We saw and chatted with D1 and M1 (L2 ran ahead). We also saw T2. She said J5 was on the list for NC State and got into UNCC, but it might not matter if schools aren’t open in the fall. We will see what happens in the next few months.

04-18-20

Adam and I walked the loop today. We talked to K1 when we passed her. We also saw S2 and S1 and said hi.

04-19-20

I went for a walk because it’s gorgeous out today and I needed some fresh air. I saw J7 down the street. I decided to walk the new loop and as I was walking along the road a dauschund started barking and running toward me from a driveway. His owner was running after him. I moved to block the dog from reaching the road but he stopped about ten feet away, laid down, and the owner picked him up. I said that I thought she had two girls that rode the bus and she confirmed she has a 2nd and 3rd grader. I pointed to where we lived and said mine are in 1st and 4th. I introduced myself and learned her name is S7 and she is a hairstylist who also works at the Marco’s Pizza we frequent. She is from AZ and used to homeschool the girls. I think when we can stand closer together again, we’ll all go say hello. Maybe the kids would enjoy playing together. We will see. I saw two other strangers while walking. J4 stopped by me in his car to say thanks for the treats. A very social walk.

04-21-20

Adam saw a cat on our back deck that looked like the one I’d received an email about from the HOA who was missing last week. I called S1 to see if it was still missing. She said she’d call the owners, who share part of a fence with us but we’ve never met because their driveway faces the road. Adam got the cat into our screened-in porch and read off the phone number from the cat’s collar. I called the owner directly and asked what he wanted us to do. He said that they’d been letting the cat out some and to let it go as they were headed back toward their house. We saw a man with a kid on his shoulders and a woman with a dog behind our fence near the road. When we let the cat go, it headed toward the back corner of our fence nearest its house.

How has your month gone? Have you seen more of your neighbors since nearly everyone is home these days? Have you met anyone new?

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?: Part 3

I’m chronicling my family’s journey to find community in our new city. This is our second month’s experience of our attempts to get to know our neighbors. Click the following links to read about the first or second month in our neighborhood. Or check out posts about looking for a church or finding friends.

09-26-19

Last night there was an ambulance on our street. I was concerned about our neighbor but didn’t have any contact information so I texted a couple of people to see if they knew anything today. I was concerned about whether the pet was being cared for so I finally just went over to the house and rang the doorbell. If no one answered, I was going to see if the door was unlocked to check on the animal. My neighbor came to the door, much to my relief. I tried not to pry but shared that I was glad to see they were home. I asked for their contact info and texted them mine in case they need anything.

10-01-19

The kids and I went next door and played basketball on the neighbor’s hoop. When I met her at the cookout she said we were welcome to use it whenever. Since the kids are signed up to play basketball this winter we are starting to practice a little.

10-02-19

This evening Adam and I walked a couple of laps around the loop. We saw K2 on our second one and chatted a bit. Her dog is very cute.

My neighbor texted me to thank me for checking in after the health incident. I offered to come over and hang out if they wanted company but they were going to try to go to work. I said I’d pray for their health.

10-03-19

We saw K2 again on our evening walk around the loop. She is still taking steps toward selling her house and moving to a tiny house.

10-06-19

On my way to run an errand with the kids, we saw S1. She said the kids’ pillows were finished and to stop by when we returned home. We walked down and chatted for a bit. The kids pet the cats. The reading pillows were super cute. It appears that pillows are S1’s thing. She makes them for a lot of people. That’s cool.

10-07-19

S1 had mentioned that B2’s out of town until the end of the week so I asked if she wanted to join us for dinner this evening. She agreed and came over for tacos. It was nice getting to talk to our neighbor. I figure the more we host, the more comfortable I’ll feel doing it. She invited me to go to the library book sale with her on Friday. That’s right up my alley.

10-09-19

I remembered that my mother-in-law will be in town on Friday so I had to cancel with S1. She realized that she also had an obligation that day so I guess that worked out.

10-17-19

I noticed a few days ago that we officially have a new neighbor two houses down. I wanted to make something to take over because it feels less awkward when you have baked goods to hand over. I knew we were making pumpkin bread today from a recipe given to me by R1 that makes three loaves at once and figured that’d be perfect. I made it while the kids were at school and we took it over after the kids got home. Our neighbor was home and introduced herself (J7). I learned a little about her. She was very friendly and invited us in to see her house and meet her cats. I gave her my business card and asked her to text me so I’d have her number, which she did.

10-18-19

On my way into the neighborhood this morning I saw my neighbor walking their dog and stopped to ask how they were doing. They said they’re almost fully recovered and going to a conference in S.C. on Sunday.

10-20-19

We spent the weekend in Atlanta catching up with friends. I texted our neighbor S1 on the way down Friday to ask her to check for packages on Saturday. I am glad I did because two showed up. When we got back this evening, she brought our packages to us. She’s very sweet.

10-25-19

As I was heading down to the bus stop to pick up the kids this afternoon, I saw J7 driving down the street. She stopped for a minute to talk. She was on her way to pick up a table and chairs for her house.

*****

Month three is in the books. We’ve gotten busy toward the end of the month with my family visiting. I hope we’ll continue to look for opportunities to engage with the neighbors. How do you think we’re doing?

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