Lucky with locals

I marvel at how lucky I’ve been with neighbors and other local people.

In the fall, about every three days, Howard and Denise Anderson deliver a couple of containers filled with the prettiest dahlias imaginable. They have been doing this for years. I think this is the reason I like fall better than any other time of the year. The Andersons plant in the back of their house where they get just the right kind of sunshine. Add to that the special care they give the dahlias.

Years ago, when I could tend a garden, I tried my hand at raising dahlias. I could never reach the perfection Denise and Howard do on a regular basis. The late Dick Taylor, who had the Four Seasons Guest House, heard that dahlias were my favorite flower, and he cross-stitched a dahlia and gave it to me. Dick was a genius at cross-stitching.

So when fall rolls around, I get thrilled every few days with flowers that are pleasant to look at and lift my spirits.

Next to me are Dave and Dorothy Stiegelmeyer. Dorothy grows raspberries, as well as a host of other fruits and vegetables.

In the fall I am lucky again — this time with fresh berries. They watch, and if I forget to put my garbage can out on Friday, they do it for me.

You can see why I feel I am pretty lucky to have neighbors like I have.

I have a special appreciation of Rick Paris. He’s not a neighbor, but he has helped me as an EMT. I had occasion to have ambulance service one day, and Rick was on duty. When I saw who was coming to help me I immediately relaxed. That’s the kind of reputation Rick has.

On another occasion, when I passed out from heat stroke at the Colorama Parade, it was Rick again. When I came to, I saw Rick over me and I knew I would be taken care of.

I have often wondered how many lives Rick has saved. This goes for all the EMTs who serve our area.