Neighborhood news

We have some new neighbors, and I am starting to feel like an old-timer here. 

One lady I like doesn't live here but comes over frequently to take care of her mother-in-law. Her MIL speaks only Spanish and doesn't come downstairs. This friendly lady, we'll call her the Spanish Lady, speaks only a little bit of English, but she always makes an effort to be pleasant, even when she can't really stop and chat. 

Also upstairs over me is a lady we'll call the Romanian. She's been here a kazillion years, speaks perfectly, and is so lovely. Unfortunately, the tensions between neighbors are starting to come out. Romania has plants outside her window.  When the Prom King would walk by with his dog (the one that bites), he, the dog, not the Prom King, would often lift his leg on her plants, and so she complained to the office. Prom King has complained about her to the Talk Table, and he acts like it happened only once or twice.  Having had Buddy for so many years, I suspect it was much more often than that. Once a dog finds a spot to relieve himself or another dog has, it frequently becomes a doggy stopping point. 

Another lady I met once before has come by several times to the Talk Table. I'll call her the Birthday Lady because she enjoys collecting everyone's name and birthdates and has taken charge of ensuring everyone receives birthday cards.  I don't really celebrate my birthday except to be amazed at how I continue to get older, but the thought is nice. 

I met a guy at the Talk Table who was deep in conversation about travel with the Prom King, so I didn't really get to speak with him. I'll call him Mr. Probate because he is involved in a significant probate matter with the second younger wife of his father. Since that was in my area of work, I'd love to hear more about who the lawyer is and what stage of the litigation they are in.  If I ever find a quiet moment alone with him, I'll breach the subject. 

Next to move in is a lady I'll call the Army lady. She was in the Army for 6 years, but I don't know when or where.  She is in her early 80s, so I suspect Vietnam, which would be my era, so I'd be interested to learn more. Unfortunately, she is very unstable on her feet and walks using a big trekking stick instead of a walker.  It is making us all uncomfortable for fear she will fall.  An interesting piece of news about her: Her sister moved all her boxes into the apartment. Her sister, who is a tall and very attractive athletic woman, told us that they are 20 years apart. Sister tells us the story of how her mother went to the doctor thinking she was going through the change, and he said yes, but not the change you are thinking about.  Good golly. 

Finally, there is the lady I will call the Hippie.  I first noticed her sitting out in the common area with her headphones on, smoking a cigarette. There is no smoking in the common area, and supposedly, there is a $250 fine for doing so. Smokers have to hang out along the fence line. Management has set out tables, chairs, and umbrellas, but most of these areas lack sufficient shade, and many smokers are getting very dark, which isn't healthy. Anyway, the Hippie just doesn't look like she belongs here. She wears her hair in a turban, and I suspect there are dreadlocks under there. I have only seen her in smallish shirts that reveal her stomach and belly piercing, paired with low-slung, long skirts. She doesn't look like 55+ from a distance, but must be. I took her to be a visitor at first. I don't know why she bothers me. Maybe jealous because she still has a flat stomach? 

I guess the strangest of all happenings is the tension developing between neighbors. We've had to add extra chairs to the Talk Table. The Talk Table is right outside of Army Lady's apartment, so she often comes out when we're there.  She has a grumpy vibe (IMHO), and there is a little bit of tension between her and some of the others. 

Also, tension is seriously building when Prom King brings his dog to the Talk Table with him, even though he ties him up under his chair. Remember, his dog is the one that bit me. Everyone seems to take a wide pass around the dog, and most of us are getting irritated at his continuous barking and growling. I understand the desire to take your dog out for a bit of fresh air, but I have the feeling that any day now, someone is going to tell him to leave the dog at home, and that will hurt his feelings. 

There seems to be this underlying snapping/snide aggression going on between the vast majority, even the Prom King and Queen.  Is it the heat? Are we old people set in our ways, who don't want anyone to comment or make personal suggestions to us? If they were my children, I would tell them to be nice and not talk like that to their sister, etc. 

As for myself, I have had enough tension and anger in my life and don't want any more. I stay out of it or go home. I would call myself the Daycare Director, except I don't want to tell the children to behave. 

We'll see. I suspect something will happen. 

The oldest Grand Girl spent the weekend for the first time in a long time. 

More later ...