When I moved next door to Lu and Fred, I was a single mom with two careers.  The house and yard required a lot of work.  I’m not sure how I did it.  But I know where a lot of inspiration came from….

From the very beginning they welcomed me and made me feel at home.  Shortly after I moved in, “magically” my garbage and recycle bins appeared at the curb on trash day and then got tucked back in their spots before I got home from work.  I couldn’t figure out who did this greatly dreaded chore for me.  Then a couple of weeks later I caught this big burly white-headed cowboy herding my cans to the curb.

I told Fred thank you but that he didn’t need to do that chore.  He absolutely insisted!  Said he wanted to.  He WANTED to be kind and considerate and helpful.

And that is how he and Luella are.

For over twenty years Fred helped me.  We shared a good many laughs and he and Lu were my first choices always to go get Mexican food and margaritas with.

After Bill came into my life, he and Fred became such dear buddies!  It was like living next door to instant laughter and acceptance and love.  Bill misses him so much. Living next door to these folks taught me a lot about kindness and how to be a close-knit family and how to help in the community.

Sadly, I have moved from next door now to retire myself into a smaller home in the same general Longmont area.  

I miss them both so very much.  Fred was my “goodest” cowboy buddy and I miss him so very much. 

 Luella, love you, darlin’!!