We borrowed a snow shovel from a neighbor the other day and forgot to return it in a timely fashion. It was approximately three hours later the neighbor lady came by to ask for it back. My wife answered the door and though I could not see her face, I believe the neighbor was mildly irked. Our culture dictates that her behavior was entirely appropriate. When you live in an upper middle class neighborhood, you don't borrow things from strangers without returning them promptly. I do not blame her at all. She was a stranger. Whenever the doorbell rings I hide. I don't want to deal with what Canadians call "a pop in" (from anyone). I tip toe around the house and look out different windows in hopes that the doorbell was for a package and not a person. I am determined to ensure the neighbors remain strangers. I do not want my agendas to be interrupted. Don't even call me, that's too intrusive. Send me an email or a text...something short that I can reply to on my own timeline. Does anyone... Continue reading →