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I Bake New Neighbors Bread To Welcome Them, And They Never Say Hello to Me Again
The Federalist ^ | 6/7/2017 | S. F. Kistler

Posted on 06/07/2017 11:21:34 AM PDT by simpson96

I am glad I am this old so I don’t have to live in this cold, uncaring world for 50 more years. Many Americans appear to have become shallow, immoral, intolerant, and hateful.

Let me tell you about my Southern California neighborhood. I have lived in this one for 22 years. I don’t know anyone, but it’s not for lack of trying. Each time a new neighbor moves in I bake a loaf of bread and take it to them. They thank me at the door and then close it. That is the last I see of them other than when they go to their cars.

One neighbor was pregnant and her husband was employed, so I gave her my phone number just in case she needed anything. She thanked me and didn’t give me her number. We spoke over the fence occasionally, but not in any way that would turn us into buddies or even casual friends. They moved.

Our newest neighbors dropped a card on our front porch before their bread was baked to tell us their names and gave us their phone number. I still have it four years later. I baked the bread and the mister thanked me at the door. I have never met the Mrs. in person.

I hosted a coffee klatch and made up fliers and put them on the 12 nearest homes. I got donuts, cut up fruit, and made coffee and tea. Six people came, drank the tea, and no one touched the donuts or fruit. They chatted about who all used to live here in this neighborhood over the years, said thank you and left. No one asked a single question of me. I have never been to their homes or had a conversation with any of them since.

(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...


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To: simpson96
I like my neighbors and am friendly with them.

No ill will intended, but I don't want to be good friends with them...just good neighbors.

It sounds like the author of this article might come on a little too strong.

21 posted on 06/07/2017 11:39:01 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
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To: rlmorel

I just joined a classic rock band where wee practice at the guitar player’s house. He lives in a middle class neighborhood with speed bumps in the street. Postage stamp lots. I’m amazed at how many kids there are playing in the yards and streets there (Shepardsville, KY). Bicycles, playing with balls, running around, etc. It’s like going back to the sixties.

It’s conspicuous in its rarity.


22 posted on 06/07/2017 11:40:02 AM PDT by Mr. Douglas (Best. Election. EVER!)
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To: simpson96

Our neighbors live too far away for much interaction.

One neighbor wrote me a screeching email about “my” aggressive pit bull that threatened him and his wife. I had to tell him I don’t have a dog, just cats. You’d think he would have established that first before he launched into his screed.


23 posted on 06/07/2017 11:40:46 AM PDT by AppyPappy (Don't mistake your dorm political discussions with the desires of the nation)
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To: simpson96

My memory of living in Palos Verdes CA was much like that - you could do pretty much as you wanted because no one cared what you did. Moving to New York was similiar. Isolation and people dropping their eyes as they passed for fear you’d meet their gaze and “interact.”

It wasn’t like that in Chicago when I grew up or when I went back. Everyone looked at one another, smiled slightly and acknowledged you were living on the same green ball. Even when I was followed by gangs in the U of Chicago neighborhood, at least they yelled, “Hey, Lady!”

And the small town in MA to which I moved still has that same small town feel that Chicago had. People wave, tell stories about their children and leave Christmas tea cups on your doorstep. The hardware store owner raised her daughter in a playpen in the store, and the girl is grown and married to a local policeman.

I used to drive, once a week, 180 miles each way to work in New York because once I found this town, I swore never to leave. When we took early retirement and combined the households, husband knelt on the carpet and kissed it. The communities are still out there. You just can’t stay in the ones famous for attracting isolationists.


24 posted on 06/07/2017 11:42:31 AM PDT by mairdie
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To: simpson96

Millennials...worst generation ever... Really it’s everybody though, generally speaking. Try driving in traffic for about an hour and let me know how that goes for you. The behavior of people these days is appalling. Oh and before I get on my high horse and say I’m “not guilty”, I’ll say that I am. A dark cold world, produces cold, dark people.

Matthew 24:12 talks about exactly what is happening now.

Honestly, I pray about this almost every day. I remember growing up we had pot lucks and neighborhood block parties. That was a different planet.


25 posted on 06/07/2017 11:43:11 AM PDT by Roman_War_Criminal (Americans are modern day Amorites ripe for destruction)
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To: simpson96

She sounds like an annoying busybody.


26 posted on 06/07/2017 11:43:42 AM PDT by stylecouncilor ("The future ain't what it used to be." Yogi Berra)
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To: simpson96

Maybe switch mouthwash and deodorant brands?


27 posted on 06/07/2017 11:44:10 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (You cannot invade the mainland US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.)
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To: simpson96

I think the worsening never ending news cycle has far reaching effects in all areas of life. People react to a constantly threatening environment by withdrawing. The news makes people hide in homes in perfectly safe neighborhoods. This societal poison spreads to the children. I know people here in Utah who are worried constantly about child molesters roaming the streets. Never mind there are few in any child abductions in this State each year.

I don’t deny that the ideas of good manners have suffered a beating. But the constant drum beat of bad news takes a toll. It’s worse than I’ve ever seen it.


28 posted on 06/07/2017 11:44:12 AM PDT by Seruzawa (FABOL)
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To: simpson96

There is a funny story about Swedish people:

A couple lived in the same house for 30 years. They bought right before their neighbors on either side. The couple was talking in the kitchen one morning when the wife said, “I think we should move into a smaller house. The kids are gone and there is too much to do here.”

The husband looked shocked and said, “Why move so soon? We’ve only just met the neighbors!”

It doesn’t translate well but it is the same world over.


29 posted on 06/07/2017 11:44:14 AM PDT by Bartholomew Roberts
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To: simpson96

C’est la vie.


30 posted on 06/07/2017 11:45:59 AM PDT by TBP (0bama lies, Granny dies.)
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To: simpson96

Perhaps her bread is downright terrible!


31 posted on 06/07/2017 11:46:32 AM PDT by meyer (The Constitution says what it says, and it doesn't say what it doesn't say.)
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To: Purdue77

Most times neighbors only talk to each other when it comes time to pay for a new fence.


32 posted on 06/07/2017 11:46:33 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Red Badger

LOL!


33 posted on 06/07/2017 11:46:45 AM PDT by GOP_Party_Animal
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To: simpson96

Sounds perfect place to live, IMHO.


34 posted on 06/07/2017 11:48:58 AM PDT by SuperLuminal (Where is another agitator for republicanism like Sam Adams when we need him?)
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To: simpson96

It’s called, “No Stay-At-Home Moms”.

Back in the day as kids we would go from house to house because somebody was at home during the day. Of course there were no video games or TV, so if you wanted recreation, you had to interact with other kids in the neighborhood.

Now, houses have become virtual “cocoons”.


35 posted on 06/07/2017 11:49:16 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: simpson96

In this new dumbed down society I don’t want anything to do with neighbors, family or anyone. Yes, I’m a grumpy old F*ck who has had it up to my eyeballs.


36 posted on 06/07/2017 11:49:23 AM PDT by Safetgiver (Islam makes barbarism look genteel.)
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To: simpson96
Well,there's your problem right there.The large majority (although *not* all) residents of California are filthy,worthless pigs.I could go into detail but I don't think that I need to.

And remember,California Freepers...I said *not* all!

37 posted on 06/07/2017 11:50:41 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Deplorables' Lives Matter)
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To: Scrambler Bob

I never got to see any of those neighbors so I can’t judge whether an unblocked view into the bathroom is good or bad. But, to complain because they can’t see the Hyperion waste treatment plant ...!


38 posted on 06/07/2017 11:51:06 AM PDT by Purdue77 (I can't afford a tag line.)
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To: simpson96

It’s the gluten, man.


39 posted on 06/07/2017 11:51:06 AM PDT by Jagman
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

That’s what I call these ‘Gluten Free’ people....................


40 posted on 06/07/2017 11:51:18 AM PDT by Red Badger (You can't assimilate one whose entire reason for being here is to not assimilate in the first place.)
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