Day 206

Can you imagine opening the door these days to your neighbor standing there asking to borrow a cup of sugar?  While you may view it as a scene reminiscent of a 60’s sitcom; I would actually argue that this tradition is one we should reestablish.

That’s right, I AM the slightly wacky next door neighbor that has been borrowing things next door during The Simple Year instead of dashing out to a mega-home store anytime I need  a tool or cooking implement that I don’t have on hand. Which, I admit was very typical behavior for us just last year (the dashing part).

Anytime, anyone wants to borrow one of my shovels or ratchet straps, I will be ready.

At first, I was a little sheepish when asking to borrow a rake or bike pump.  I mean, borrowing things basically started to go out of style when The Partridge Family went off the air.   And, I am new to the neighborhood.  Maybe, it is because it’s akin to asking for help, which I have difficulty with.

I’m not sure why I was so reticent, I was a child during an era when the phrase “May I borrow up a cup of sugar,” was a part of popular culture. Andy Griffith, Lucy and Ethel and even Bugs Bunny and the Road Runner were often portrayed borrowing things like sugar or anvils.

In fact, I don’t think my parents had a lawn mower for years.  Instead, I remember them borrowing my grandparents’ or the neighbors.  I also remember periodically running to the neighbors for my mother to borrow things to complete our dinner like an egg, onion and once, embarrassingly, Velveeta cheese (which I didn’t realize until I was in my late teens, wasn’t cheese at all).

Then, there wasn’t a strip mall on every corner so it wasn’t convenient to “pop out” and people didn’t run to buy a power washer or nail gun with their credit card anytime a need arose.

So, once again, during The Simple Year, out of necessity, I have gone a bit old school and have found it has been a great way to meet my neighbors.  But, beyond that, I think it makes a lot of sense, not only does it save money, but there aren’t so many “tripping hazards” in my garage.   Although, I would recommend that you are willing to return the favor when someone wants to borrow your tent or table saw.

There are also several websites dedicated to connecting neighbors to share items like Neighborgoods and Share Some Sugar.   Although, I am not sure how widespread their use is because I signed up for one and there were only two items listed to lend (but neither are items I own).   But, if a few of us start to use them, perhaps the idea will sprout in our communities.  Incidentally, I noticed an octopus listed to loan on the Neighborgoods website.  There was a picture and everything. There are many questions left unanswered there…

So, if you find yourself needing a post hole digger or pressure cooker, perhaps it is time to go meet your neighbors.