There are times when I feel warmth and appreciation towards everyone in my neighborhood.

There are times when I feel warmth and appreciation towards everyone in my neighborhood. This is one of those times. My front door is open. I can hear the birds and see my neighbors leaving for work.

Yesterday the RI Energy guys came to double check on the odor we smelled in the cellar. They noticed the old gas line in the basement was not turned off even though the pipe out in the street is decapitated.

The talkative guy had to come back upstairs to get the biggest wrench from their van to close off the valve.

As they were leaving I said to the talkative one, "You have perfect teeth! Tell your mama I said so."

"She paid for it."

"I thought so."

"We have good dental too!" He wore a glow-yellow union logo shirt. His hard hat was covered with a printed camo pattern.

"It's good to protect your teeth and your head," I said, smiling.