In the Neighborhood

I suddenly miss SoCal so much now, it physically hurts. My Microsoft OneDrive emails me of photos that were taken on this day throughout the years. There’s one of me with my ex from a long time ago taken at the Hearst Castle in San Luis Obispo, California. There’s another one of me, also taken years ago (on this day) by my husband.

This just brings back waves of memories of my past. The past that I just want to let go, so that I can move on with my life.

In the Neighborhood – Vonda Shepard

I got into a verbal altercation with my neighbor next door yesterday over his noise issues and his visitors’ cars parking onto our side of the driveway. It ended with him saying that he will play loud music just for us every morning, and with me telling him that I will call his agent and call the cops.

After saying that, I stormed back into my townhouse and slammed the door. I called his agent and left a voicemail asking her to intervene before this situation escalates further. I also texted my agent and she said that she will call our association on Monday to see what actions can be taken against my neighbor.

I ended up with a huge headache and had to put acupuncture needles on my head, and practice deep breathing.

I texted my agent just now to tell her that we’ll wait for a while longer to see if the situation improves, before escalating it with the association. We would like to give our neighbor the benefit of the doubt that he just said those mean words in the heat of the moment and doesn’t really want to make the situation worse.

I’ll also start looking for another place for rent. It’s difficult though, with it being the seller’s market. Most homeowners are choosing to sell their homes, instead of renting it out. The Covid situation last year also didn’t help, with homeowners being forced to let non-paying tenants continue to stay rent-free.

I’ll also start packing, purging and donating things that we don’t need to lighten up our load.

I just miss the ocean so much. I wish I could drive down to the ocean right now. We’ve lived on beachfront property in Ventura County previously and I would just go for a walk every afternoon and feel rejuvenated afterwards. Even after we moved to the hilltop, it was still just a 15 minute drive to the ocean. Now, I’m not even remotely close to any ocean, never mind the Pacific ocean, that I love so much …..

In the Neighborhood

~ Vonda Shepard

Here’s a photo I’ve been looking for
It’s a picture of thee boy next door
And I loved him more than words could say
Never knew it ’til he moved away

Faded pictures in my scrapbook
Just thought I’d take one more look
And recall when we were all
In the neighborhood

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Here’s a photo of the neighborhood
Here’s the corner where we stood
Here’s a snapshot of dad’s old car

Never got us very far
Faded pictures in my scrapbook
Just thought I’d take one more look
And recall when we were all

In the neighborhood
And all those friends
Where did they go, I don’t know
All those friends we used to know
In the neighborhood

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