New England Neighborliness

Growing up, "Yankee" was a synonym for uncouth or lacking manners.  Also for people who in my mother's opinion talked funny-- meaning no Southern accent, a category that now includes yours truly.  Now that I am firmly ensconced in Yankee territory, I've been really delighted by how kind and generous all of our neighbors have been.  From the 10th Street potluck when we first arrived to babysitter referrals to our next door neighbors inviting us for cocktails tonight (well, actually, cocktails start at 4:30--- my kind of New Year's Eve celebration: start early, finish early and walk 20 feet home), everyone has been super-friendly and welcoming.  This afternoon, after a heavy snowstorm started to let up enough to go out and shovel the sidewalk and steps, our across-the-street neighbor Joe came over with his snowplow and did our sidewalk and driveway for us.  Joe definitely wins the MVP award and I will be baking some cookies tomorrow to take over to him to return the favor.  People can be so great... even (especially!) Yankees.