A new reader...

asked if we thought about moving. Moving really isn't an option, well, ok, yes it is AN option, but not one that is realistic for us. Although we have honestly discussed it. Here's the situation. My husband family have been residence of our neighborhood for nearly 100 years. Our neighborhood is a REAL neighborhood, where the kids can ride their bikes over to the park and know everyone's house along the way. We have summer programs, movies in the park, ice cream socials for kids, cocktail hours for grown ups in the park. My husband grew up summering here (it started as a summer community), and we bought our house 13 years ago. We live across the street from my mother-in-law (who is 84), so that we can be around if she should need help. We are fully entrenched in our community. Last Labor Day my husband earned the Adult Appreciation Award (the most prestigious award in our community) for all the work that he has done for our neighborhood.

The neighbors, on the other hand, moved in 2 years ago, and while they are quite the party-ers and have lots of fancy toys, they aren't as connected as we are.

Interestingly at school today, one of my students asked me to read a book to him, it was called Three Samauri Cats. It was a very interesting story -- here's a summary:

" In this clever retelling of a Japanese tale, the daimyo, a powerful feudal lord, is distressed when a savage rat moves into his castle. The daimyo seeks the aid of the senior monk, a docho, in ridding the castle of the dangerous rat. The docho sends two young samurai cats, but they are not up to the task. The docho finally sends an old decrepit cat that appears to do nothing but sleep and eat. The old cat refuses to fight, instead overpowering the rat with passive resistance. As the old cat says, "Draw strength from stillness. Learn to act without acting. And never underestimate a samurai cat." Excellent illustrations enhance the story. Ages 6-10. Reviewed by Irene A. Allen, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti "

I think this will be my mantra. I've found that it is helpful to have some role models to hang onto -- like MLK, and Ghandi and now the Samurai Cat. While it is tempting to want to retaliate, it's not the right thing to do, and we while we DO need to stand up and defend ourselves, we also need to be able to feel good about the whole thing when we are done. So far, I couldn't be happier with how we have responded to their low-life antics.