It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

From Sharon.

Ruth asked that I update the blog to let everyone know she's doing really well.  Her only complaint is that she isn't able to gain any of her lost weight back.  I'm thinking of trying to liposuction some of my flab and transfer it over to her.  Ah, if only that were possible!  Think of how many cancer patients, Third World countries and runway models we could help with our American fat.  But I digress....

Ruth is back to offering her skills as a substitute organist in New Bern.  She and John attended her 50th college reunion at Wake Forest this past weekend, camping in their new camper instead of hoteling it.  Discovering that their truck strained too much to pull the bigger camper, they have purchased a 6-seater truck with a V-8 engine. 

While they were away in Winston-Salem, some of their neighbors took it upon themselves to give Ruth's yard a makeover.  Ruth loves doing yard work, but has fallen behind lately for obvious reasons.  Rachel, Joe, Ina and Mary Lynn have redefined the word neighbor.  They saw a need and took the initiative as a surprise gift.  Ruth and John came home to a freshly manicured, trimmed and edged lawn.  The plant around the mailbox has been freed from its weed entanglement.  The trash removed, the bushes trimmed, etc.  They even left a beautiful mum for my Mum on the porch.  Major thanks to Rachel, Joe, Ina and Mary Lynn.  Thanks also to Mary Lynn for caring for Boom Boom and Serenity whenever Ruth and John are out of town.  And now that I have this song bouncing around in my head, here are the full lyrics by Mister Fred Rogers:

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor?