“Texas has some deal about purple.”

I was waiting for my waffle the following Saturday at Heddy’s Cafe and had just told Herb about my new neighbors’ new paint color.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh yea. Purple Paint Laws or something. It’s like a no trespassing sign.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Nope,” Herb laughed as he walked away and a waitress placed a waffle in front of me. I ordered two more to go. I felt I deserved something to soothe my nerves that were fraying from having what looked more and more to be awful neighbors. First their sugar cookie rejection which, okay, isn’t terrible; even though I spent time that could have otherwise been useful mixing, baking, and sugaring, not to mention chilling in between. And ingredients. And a paper plate. But how could they dig up the flowers? Flowers I had generously watered? For them? Which I didn’t mention to Herb, but the rocks they put over where the flowers had been. They weren’t even white. They were brown. And not to belabor the point, but a purple house? They were probably from Texas which meant they darn well knew what they were intimating. No trespassing? Really?

I arrived back home to see Gordy and his wife (she still hadn’t told me her name – I’d begun silently calling her Thing 1) on their hands and knees in their yard. What were they doing now? Poisoning worms?

I got out of my car, careful to not step on their lawn. I wouldn’t want to trespass now, would I? I waved in order to push back the resentment that threatened to build, but they must’ve been too intent on whatever it was they were doing to see me. Whatever it was they were doing, they’d better finish up soon – black and purplish (the shade didn’t match their house what a shame) clouds were rushing across the sky which grew darker with every minute.

I barely escaped the first raindrop and closed my door.

There’s something cozy about storms. I put water in my tea kettle – the one with the delightful whistle that is like a little bird calling me to the kitchen at the proper time – and rummaged around for something herbal along cinnamon and cloves, of course.

I was about to open the to go box from Heddy’s Cafe for a waffle to go with it, when a loud pounding on my front door made me jump. Hurrying to look, a quick peek revealed Gordy and Thing 1 drenched to the skin. I pulled open the door and they rushed in, apologizing to my now puddled floor.

to be continued . . .

https://www.sll.texas.gov/faqs/purple-paint-trespassing/; Image: chris-robert-EXN7ejfq9OQ-unsplash.jpg;pexels-jplenio-1118869.jpg