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Luv, I used to live on the block of Andrew’s Hwy and Midkiff. I cried for three years after leaving Midland. It was like one big family - someone would start their charcoal in the grill - a neighbor would stick their head over the fence, and holler, “What’cha cookin’? We just got some beautiful T-Bones at the meat market!”

“Well, c’mon over! (And, bring the steaks!) We’ve got dogs, burgers and buns!”

Another neighbor, “We just bought a bushel of corn on the cob that was picked today - the wife is husking it right now.”

“Bring over a dozen or two ears, we’ll help her husk ‘em!”

Another neighbor, “OMG, do I smell charcoal? I made Granny’s baked beans this morning - stuck ‘em in the crock pot, and they’re just about ready!”

“Beans are NEEDED over here, gurl! And, bring the kids in their swimsuits - the whirly sprinkler is goin’!”

“Anybody wanna taste the fresh blackberry cobbler I just made today?”

“You gotta be kiddin’! And, could you bring some extra paper plates?”

And, ol’ Bob - he always pleased the guys - “I got a fridge in the garage, jammed full of ice cold BEER! Anybody want a couple?”

Then, a few doors down, Carol would hear the commotion - and bring a huge tossed salad in a bowl big as a tire.

And, of course, Anne made her special potato salad every weekend - with lots of hard boiled eggs, and then made some deviled eggs, too!

The wimmin would chatter and giggle, as they put it all together, the children would play in the sprinkler, sandbox or monkey-bars, and the men would sip cold beer and tell tales of past football games.

Laughter and jokes were always present, and if James brought his guitar, late into the evening, we would all sit around the grill, throw in some logs, and sing - under the stars.

I get teary-eyed talkin’ about Texas. Dang, I miss it! Have fun, Luvie! (And, say “Hi” to W, ok?)