These are the people in your neighborhood

I love our neighborhood. Oh, sure, you do hear gun shots fired once in a while, but that really comes from the area a block or two away.  My neighborhood is filled with Birkenstock-wearing, Prius-driving, Liberal-voting, rescue-dog-walking, salt of the earth people. We've made so many friends.

This summer we loved our impromptu pool parties in the driveway with B and girls, and Yaya, the Greek grandma with her grandson from across the street.

Yaya is my "go-to" cook. She shows me how to turn a bag of lentils and some random herbs into an amazing soup. We join her for lunch at her house where she serves up delicious home-made pizza, fresh salad, and exotic cheeses. She bakes daily from scratch all while keeping a tidy house and lovingly attending to her grandson. In short, she is my hero.

B is another favorite friend in the neighborhood. She grew up on a farm in South Korea, and together we go on daily nature walks through the neighborhood. "Here, try this mulberry" or "here are some pecans" or "try these herbs in your soup" she tells us as we walk up and down the street.

You can't forget the neighbor next door, H, who is known as the "Mayor" of the street. He is a true Southern Gentleman. He hosts the neighborhood parties, inquires after everyone's well being, and tells me that if I ever run into trouble (with that less gentle neighborhood around the corner) to call him, and he'll come running with his "friends" Smith & Wesson.