Among all the gay, trans, and progress pride flags, there are a handful of MAGA flags in the neighborhood, and it's interesting to me that those homes are also the ones with high fences and a plethora of "KEEP OUT, NO TRESPASSING, BEWARE OF DOG" signs.
We live in a small town where crime is rare - if someone has change stolen out of their unlocked car, it makes waves. I doubt that these people have had much, if anything, stolen from them, or had anyone trespass besides bears, deer, and maybe a few kids chasing a ball while playing in the summer. Yet they're so on-edge about anyone that some months back, one of them set off their truck's alarm from their window when I was walking by it to scare me away from it.
My various neighbors, from the day we moved in, have given us a lawnmower, TV, furniture, VHS tapes, VCR/DVD players, and helped us haul leaf bags. They've helped us fix things, kids have wandered over to help us dig up the yard, rake and garden, we've been offered to jump in one of their pools anytime. In turn, I've baked for them, brought them puzzles for their niece, and given away some of our furniture and appliances. How sad to wall oneself off from the generosity and kindness of others out of the fear that something will be taken from you.






