EDDY'S PAGE
by Eddy Robey M.A.

In my building, June has begun with a celebration of laziness. None of us are on vacation, or slacking in our regular tasks, but somebody skipping a chore has made all of us smile. So, who is the lazy one? The man who comes weekly, to clean walkways and trim the tiny patch of grass, has fallen behind on his schedule, and we're hoping he doesn't catch up for quite a while.

There is a cement walkway, about four feet wide along one side of our small building. The side that is not a wall is bounded by a chicken wire fence through which we can see and envy the neighbors who live next door. Why? There is a small strip of garden which runs behind those apartments, each of which has a back entrance. Those fortunate folks have geraniums and roses right outside their kitchens.

Of course, we can see the blossoms as well, so that is not what we crave. No, it is the aromatic greenery between those pretty flowers. Their landlord has planted mint as a ground cover. Every Tuesday, when their gardener comes, we are tantalized by the fragrance which drifts through our windows.

Usually, our maintenance man runs an edger along our side of the chicken wire, so none of the neighboring vegetation gets through. However, perhaps because it is June, he has been moving rather slowly, and neglected that part of his duties. Guess what happened? The mint escaped trimming, and is now decorating our side of the fence.

Oh, how our lives have been gladdened. Word of the treasure spread quickly, and we're all enjoying a share. There are jugs of perfumed iced tea, bowls of tabbouleh, platters of Thai steak salad, dessert dishes of cut fruit drizzled with honey and topped with a pretty chiffonade of the bright green leaves, and impromptu chat sessions whilst sipping juleps or minted fresh lemonade.

Traditionally, summer is a season which taxes our civility. Despite all the ads and articles promising that sunshine will bring gladness, too much of it seems to bring out the crank in most people. Women endure the annual ritual of humiliation called trying to find a reasonably flattering and modest swim suit for the sisterhood pool party. Men stand in the hot sun, in front of hotter grills, swatting flies away from steaks which emerge from the process looking much like the briquettes used to cook them. Children are sunburned, bored, ever involved in the mischief and mess caused by too much time on their hands during school break. Hot weather and hot tempers go together.

For my neighbors and me, all those problems are on hold just now. G-d's generosity, in the form of this aromatic harvest, has brought out the best in everyone. The bounty is free to all, and our spirits seem to reflect this divine charity. I'm going to try to keep things going around here, perhaps by buying a flat of strawberries to share. Maybe you can do the same thing with a crate of peaches. Let the warmth of the weather glow in your heart. Happy Summer to you all.