We moved into our house in September. As usual, when we began to move, we were worried about rain or snow. It seems we’re doomed, everytime we move, to brave either rain or snow. This time the skies were clear. Odd!
We later found out this was not the case — as we pulled into our new driveway and began loading things into the house, we realized the power was off. I had been to the house the prior day and everything was fine. We had made arrangements, concrete arrangements, to have the power switched to our name when the previous owner moved out. I knew it had been done — after confirmation with the electric company a few days before. Why was our power out?
We baffled over this but continued to move our items into the house. As we pulled and tugged at a couch, the next item to go in, our neighbor walked up casually. He’s about 5′ 7″, faded jeans, cigarette in left hand and beer in right hand. I ponder for a few seconds, passing fleeting seconds, about our new neighbor. “Maybe it’s his day to relax and he’s in casual mode”, I think to myself. “Or maybe he’s always carrying a beer and cigarette, both hands full?”, I thought next…I’ve got to be psychic…but more on that later…
So, we do our meets and greets and Eric informs us that he took the liberty to turn off our large light that glows upon our driveway at night. We live in a rural area, deep in the trees, and there’s no streetlights or city lights to illuminate our walk into the house. It’s more of a ’security’ light. But Eric, in his casual way of speaking, says, “I went ahead and turned off that light there. I just flipped the switch. You know, it’s been 5 years we’ve lived here by that light and it seems to light up the WHOLE valley between our houses. I hate that light, so I turned it off as soon as Kathy left.” (uncomfortable pause), I speak, “Really? Well, we’ll have to see how often we need it. That’s a nice light for our driveway area and since we’re just moving in, it’d be nice to have that extra security. How did you know where to turn it off?” (…another strange pause), then we, in our right mind, continued to work and haul things in as he pondered my question and stood there, blank eyes.
A moment later it hits me! Our power is out — neighbor shut light off with some ’switch’ — ah HA! I lean in and tell DH that I feel that was probably our main breaker switch for our power that the neighbor so kindly ’switched off’ for us. I let neighbor Eric into the conversation at that point and he looks surprised…almost upset, that the light will have to be on for us to have power.
I saunter over to the light pole, just past the trees, and flip the switch. Lights! Everything in the house comes on and we cheer. Much to our neighbors frustration, he wanders off at some point and goes home to pout. I can just see him cursing under his breath that he can’t have OUR light off when he wants.
I like our light now. Part of me knows it’s very irritating to our neighbor — and part of me remembers the time we lived by “light neighbors” that insisted on shining their porchlight into our master bedroom after 11pm. I was a mad mad tired woman then…I wonder how tired Eric is?
Maybe that’s why he was shooting his gun the other night? AT our light, not the air? I’m watching you, Eric!!
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