My neighbors are cool

Originally uploaded by Liz Henry.

The other day we noticed dead pigs hanging out of our neighbor’s SUV. All over Redwood City, Menlo Park, and San Carlos, other firepits have been blazing and other pigs crackle & roast, thirty total, bought on Friday from a farm in Gilroy. It’s an early Sunday morning party complete with the happiest South Pacific reggae and a few mellow cans of Bud Lite. Later at the Methodist Tongan church over on Brewster, I bet the dinner will be great.

Sometimes the smoke blowing into my house can be annoying - the roast & party happens every few weeks - but I am always happy to have the coolest neighbors ever. They really know how to hang out and have a good time. Siani, the guy in the yellow shirt, is always happy to give us a piece of lumber for a project - he collects it from all over town to use it for the firepit. I enjoy living next to the swirling cheerful life of all the teenage kids and extended family, their music, their hysterical giggling, and the way they kind of live in the driveway in their cars with friends pulling up to shout hello.

We talked about plans for a block party in October. I heard the city will give funds for block parties, once a year. If I organize it, Siani and his family and friends will roast the pigs! Maybe that guy who plays the trumpet, down the street, is in a band?