What a wonderful memory, Gandle. Although our memories differ by a few decades, they are so alike in many ways. I guess that's how farm life is...no matter what generation you're from, some things will forever be alike. I didn't have a quarter mile lane, though. Our house was right off the road. However, my great Uncle lived a mile away, just up the road, make a right at Steve's corner. Steve and Anna were brother and sister who lived on their ancestral farm until both were pushing 100, and their farm was at the cross road which was the half mile marker between our farm and my Uncle's farm. Since that cross road divided Steve and Anna's farm, it was forever known as "Steve's corner". After church on Sunday, while the grown-up's had their social hour, my cousins and I would make our plans for the day. We'd set a time, usually right after Sunday dinner (which was always served at 12 noon promptly), to meet at Steve's corner. In the summer, we'd slip around to the back of Steve and Anna's and drink from their pump. In the fall, we'd grab an apple off their apple tree. When Steve became too old to farm and rented out his barn and fields, we'd sneak into his fields and feed the horses. After exploring the world, my cousins and I would walk back to Steve's corner and say our good-byes. The walk to Steve's corner was uphill from our farm, but on level ground from my Uncle's. I never minded that walk one bit. A few years ago when I went home, I made that walk for old time's sake and, while the road seemed to have gotten narrower, that uphill walk seemed like 10 miles! The farm house was always small, it only had 4 rooms...a kitchen, a living room, and 2 bedrooms. Growing up, I had to share a bed with my Grandmother, and as I grew, the house seemed to have gotten smaller. I moved into the house briefly when I returned from Europe back in the 80's, and I realized what a perfect size that house was for 1 person. Especially when all that person did was eat and sleep inside it, as my Grandmother did. She worked in the fields during the day, when she came home in the evening she'd wash up and go out to the gardens. It took me all these years to understand why. It was her therapy, just as my gardens are my therapy. Such wonderful memories...

if anyone ever has any sitch similar, you need to move- as soon as you possibly can. I realize it seems unfair, and it is. But when you’re the tenant upstairs, you bear the brunt of the blame. I know, I’ve been that upstairs neighbor and I’ve been through he** bc of it too. It’s been a fluid situation but it all started with a bad downstairs tenant. It just got worse and worse, even though I don’t believe I deserved any of it. The courts somewhat agreed with me too. I’m talking about different counties even. Seriously, with the first bad tenant situation, uhh on a legal website the lawyers didn’t even believe my story. But it’s the truth. I got citations- as in tickets- for getting up too early in the morning. It was 645 am. I didn’t even shower when I woke up. I wasn’t being loud. I had a bad neighbor. Thats bad enough by itself. But again, it got worse. Almost 2 years later I ended up getting “assaulted “ bc a bad property manager unlawfully gave a copy of my key to someone she shouldn’t have bc she got mad at me. During a pandemic lockdown, She morphed criminal. She’ll pay for that for a very long time. I hope for the rest of her life. What happened to me is bad. But when ppl twist off, sometimes innocent ppl pay. I’m still paying. Please, try to make the best of your situation and if you can’t make the best of it, find somewhere you can move and have some peace. At a time like this, it’s of utmost importance. Cut your neighbor some slack. No need to complain about EVERYTHING. There’s literally noise everywhere. Sometimes you just need to deal with it. Good luck all.

Oh Wow Lynn...I was laughing too.. but nervously! Those type of things (in the night) would scare the heck out of me too. I was also thinking of the poor police officer going off in the night, not knowing what to expect. I'm happy to hear all is well, and it was JUST a pop of a transformer.. I agree it was a good thing you were up w/DH with his foot cramp when it happened. Do you have an alarm system on your home? We do and that would have set the alarm off, when all the power goes off. Our system has a backup that sends it right out to security. We live out here in the 'sticks' and I always feel like I'm so alone, but the alarm gives me some peace of mind. I can't get over you sleeping with your doors open like that...I would be too chicken to do that. Guess it's a 'growing up in NY' kind of thing..but then again, being out here now in the 'Country'...it's the 4 legged creatures now, versus the 2 legged!! Glad all has ended well for you...what a way to start the day, and Punk is right..there will be many laughs over it. jane

Bestyears, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can imagine the joy that Ash brought into your life, & the void he leaves behind. I wonder if Ash knew it was his time & stayed behind in the car because he was seeking a quiet resting place. I know, it may sound far-fetched, but it is possible! It has been said that all animals know when they are about to die, & they will often seek out a cave-like environment, perhaps under a bed or in a densely planted area, so they may peacefully pass away.Though you may not of known of any health problems, Ash may have had this awareness. One thing is for certain, Ash passed away knowing he was loved & cared for. I'm sure you were a wonderful cat mom, as all of your posts here indicate that you are a kind, warm-hearted person. I'm sure Ash received the best care possible throughout his decade on earth. I would find some comfort in knowing that my cat died a peaceful death. Ash was not hit by a car or attacked by a dog. A grizzly fate such as that would be even more devastating, as then Ash would have suffered great pain. I know these days must be so painful for you. My thoughts & prayers are with you as you grieve. Peace be with you.