October 8 – “Neighbors’ Night Out”

We once again have another Neighbors’ Night Out in the books.  Our group met in the parking lot of the old Zion Lutheran Church on Yucca.  We started around 6 p.m., but there was some kind of snafu with the city, so our fire department representatives were there at 5:30.  Engine 7, the one stationed out of Pirates Beach, drew our neighborhood because there were so many groups registered with the city this year.  It also helped that Captain Chide, the captain on duty there last night, lives in our neighborhood.  He was happy to make the jaunt back into his home stomping grounds.  Our police representative enjoyed one of chili dogs as well.  If I understood correctly, he is the police department intermediary with the program.  I did talk to him for a while, but I can’t remember his name.  Sorry, Sergeant. 

Alice and the rest of her gang once again did a great job organizing and setting up the food tables.  She has passed the baton to a new neighborhood coordinator for next year, but I’m sure she will still be involved.  After the food started flowing, Alice asked me to lead the group in prayer, so we acknowledged the Lord, thanked him for the food and our neighborhood, and asked his protection for the fire fighters and police officers.  Alice then introduced our new coordinator for next year and gave an update on our new neighborhood sign that has been approved by City Council.  That was about it for the “official” festivities.  The rest of the time was available to just talk and get to know each other. 

I spent some time with a guy from Pine Street who tried to ride out Hurricane Ike.  I’m not sure if that makes him a hero or just little bit crazy.  After talking to him, I think he would prefer the latter designation.  Very funny guy.  Apparently his wife loves animals, and one of the reasons he wanted to stick around was because he didn’t want to transport all of them in his car.  I can see why.  Among their menagerie were five or six chickens.  He assured us that they are really nasty creatures, preferring to use his pristine back porch as a bathroom rather than dare to go anywhere in the yard.  Needless to say, he fenced them in.  On the plus side, though … he has eggs for sale.  He did tell about two chickens he used to have.  They kept jumping the fence into his neighbor’s yard.  Then they conveniently forgot how to get back when it was feeding time.  He was constantly having to apologize for going into their yard to retrieve them.  Finally he told the beasts that the next time they escaped would be their last time.  Sure enough, two nights later at roll call, those same two were missing.  And sure enough, true to his word, three nights later they were gracing the supper table.  None of the others have attempted an escape since then.  Guess his scare tactics worked.  I told him next time there was a storm he should not bother evacuating with all of his animals.  After all, a man’s gotta eat, and “fried chicken” kind of has a ring to it. 

His other funny story involved his plans for the next storm.  He said he plans to sit quietly on his couch.  He has pretty much mastered snorkeling already, and his goal for next year is scuba diving.  That was he can remain sitting quietly on his couch, no matter how high the water gets.  Thank you very much, my new friend, but I know a couch in Waco that has my name on it.  A dry couch.

Zechariah 3:10 says, “’In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree,' declares the Lord Almighty.”

Father, thank you for my neighbors and for their willingness to “share figs” with each other.  Amen.