Figs and Unexpected (Anniversary) Gifts

A Real-Time Neighbor Story

Remember how I’ve said that anything I know about being a good neighbor, I learned from my neighbors?

Do I have a story for you!

On the evening of May 25th, my peonies were blooming, I was thinking about George Floyd (forever connected to peonies for me), and I decided to take a quick, solo walk through the neighborhood.

One block over, there’s a house that has captivated me for years, with its lush front yard garden. Like most homes around here, the house is small and simple. But the garden! Vines drape the porch railings, trellised climbers crochet wide walls of green. There are flowers! Tomatoes! Loads of small, potted trees!

When I was running for city council, I knocked on the door a few times, eager to finally meet the gardener. The closest I came was stuffing my flier through the crack of the screen door. But on May 25th, the owner was out.