Give Thanks...For Neighbors

 We thought when we moved from Farmington, that we'd be leaving behind a yard full of rocks just underneath the grass and plants.

Turns out Farmington's got nothing on Tremonton.

This land has rocks everywhere. As we prepare to put in our yard, we've got a lot of work to do. We have several rock piles at various locations around the yard and we'll have to deal with them. Yesterday, we decided to tackle some of those piles. 

Problem--one of the rocks was huge.

Another problem--I am not huge...well, huge enough to move the rock.

Our next-door-neighbor saw us working and he came over to offer help. And help he did. He pulled up his Jeep, wrapped a chain around the rock and attached it to bumper. A few tugs from the gas-burning beast and the rock was moved several feet to the north.

We're still getting to know our neighbors. On our old street, I knew everyone. I knew everyone on several streets and all over the town. It's reassuring to know others by whom you live. You know there's people you can count on for help. It's impossible to really know how others think about you. Are we good neighbors? I'd like to think so. I'm sure we could do more...we can always do more.

Leaving our good friends was the toughest part of the move for us. We've only been here a few months, but we're hoping to get to know those around us in the months and years to come. I'm grateful for our neighbors. I'm grateful that people choose to help out each other...even if it's just to move a rock a few feet.

Celebrate The New Year With A (Mini...) Lantern Festival!

After applying fireworks to our gingerbread village just after midnight last night (this will be highlighted in a future blog post...), we noticed a gathering at our neighbor's house across the street.

Those look like lanterns, I thought.

That's exactly what they were.

It seems our neighbors have a tradition. They order lanterns and set them aloft at midnight to ring in (or lit in...) the new year.

It was beautiful!

I've always wanted to see lanterns be lit and float skyward. There's the famous scene in Tangled where everyone sends up lanterns. It's one of the key plot points, actually--no lanterns, no story. I've seen ads for lantern festivals that are held in the area, mostly in the summer, I think. I don't know exactly because we've never gone, but I kept thinking it would be something I would love to see. 

Turns out I was right--I did love it.

The lanterns lifted into the night sky. They floated northwest, over our house until the fuel was exhausted, the flames went out, and the lanterns descended back to earth. It was a very cool experience.

I'd never seen floating lanterns before. It's something I've always wanted to experience. Thanks to neighbors, last night I was able to see it first hand. And it was awesome!

Our Neighbor Paul...He's One Impressive Guy!

I read the article from our local newspaper just this morning. I had no idea this was happening. Apparently our neighbor a few houses down has decided to bike across the United States, a noble goal for anyone--an even more impressive feat for a man seventy-one years old.

Paul Hatch set a goal to bike across the country and he began that trek today. He's riding from Ocean Beach, California to Ocean City, New Jersey. He plans on biking seventy miles a day and finish the goal on August 10th after traveling around 3700 miles.

Just thinking about it makes my head ache and my legs hurt.

But, on keeping with the awesomeness that is my neighbor, he's not just doing this amazing thing for himself. This challenge is also a fundraiser. He's wanting to raise $10,000 for Fuller Center for Housing, an organization helping people in need.

If things go as planned, Paul will reach the Atlantic Ocean in a few months. He'll return home with a brain full of memories. The donations will help others and he'll have accomplished yet another goal. Of course, things rarely go as planned, but I wish all the best to Paul and his group. I wish them safety, good health, good weather, good and courteous drivers, and a wonderful time.

You can read the original story: HERE, and if you want to help his reach his donation goal, you can contact him at: paulthepedaler@gmail.com. Good luck, Paul! We're all behind you!