My current book, Montana Ranch Crime Ring, takes place in Eastern Montana, a very rural part of the state where the neighbors are few and far apart. Conflicts between ranches and farms can go back for generations from fights over property lines to who got a BLM lease. Even with all that conflict, I have found that there is much to admire about country people. People put their past aside to help a neighbor out when needed. My late husband was from Eastern Montana and I noticed three ways in which these people knew what it meant to be a neighbor. First, if your vehicle goes into a snowbank or slides off the road for any reason, the first person to come upon you feels an obligation to help you out. If they don't have the equipment to pull you out, they will go get it or find someone who does. Second when you hear that your neighbor is sick, you drive the miles required to bring them some food and let them know you are there to help if needed. Finally, my husband's father at the end of his life had alienated most of his neighbors and had become somewhat of a recluse. But when we drove over for his funeral, people showed up and were very kind to us. In a rural part of the state, when someone dies, you go to the funeral regardless of your history with that person.
I imagine there are unwritten rules for what people do for neighbors in distress in cities as well. Did you grow up being taught what it meant to be a neighbor? What were some of things you saw your parents do that showed neighborliness? Leave a comment with your email address. I will be giving away five copies of Montana Ranch Crime Ring (USA only).
Sharon Dunn
My parents were known for their hospitality. New at church? Dinner invite. Sick, new child, holiday? Food brought over. Thanks for bringing this to mind. Becca12901 at yahoo
ReplyDeletemow neighbor's lawn
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
My Dad, who was a missionary in Paraguay, was known to stop and help people on the dirt road, whenever he found someone in need, even if he were traveling himself, and had deadlines to meet. Hopefully we display this same helpfulness and encouragement in rural Western Montana, where my husband is a minister. Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Would love to win a print copy! God bless! Lual Krautter krautter62520AToutlookDOTcom
ReplyDeleteMy Dad was one that always looked out for others no entry as I have this book and it is such a great book! Sarahbaby601973@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy mom would try to be welcoming to new neighbors, and many became friends with her because of it. She is not introverted like me. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI take care of my next door neighbor's cat when they go out of town.
ReplyDeletedianah7272@gmail.com
My parents always taught me that when you see someone in need you help them when able. In their eyes that is nonnegotiable. deborahdumm@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI moved back to MT in 2016 and it was a thrill! Our new home didn't have window coverings and when we woke up in the morning, I warned my husband that we needed to get up and get dressed because the neighbors would be coming. He didn't believe me until we heard a truck in the driveway. I scrambled to the bedroom for clothes. After a short greeting, his wife arrived with coffee. After a visit, they left with a key to our house. I LOVE living back in MT with neighbors that are friendly and neighborly.
ReplyDeletemommamindy@msn.com
I love Montana! I read everything & every book written that has anything to do with Montana. I had plans to retire there, but things have changed in my life. I just had a calling and had to answer. jozywails
ReplyDeleteThe doors of our home were always open. We didn't have to call each other before visiting...times are different nowadays.
ReplyDeletekykla99ATgmailDOTcom
My mother was from the country. My dad was from the city. .. my dad's family was together all the time, you had an evening free, you were at Grandma's. My mother family we saw maybe twice a year and it was a long production to go out to the country.
ReplyDeletenancydarby2007@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteGrowing up an Army brat meant you made friends fast and then they were gone. But it also meant you were there to help the newbies in finding things, best way to do things, etc. You welcomed them with a cake and friendship. Mom's looked out for all kids, not just their own.
ReplyDeleteI was blessed to have already read the FIVE STAR Montana Ranch Crime Ring. I'll leave the contest to others so they may have the fabulous opportunity to read this wonderful book.
Can't wait for the opportunity to read and review your next book.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Growing up in the country are neighbors were a bit of a walking distance. We grew an abundance of vegetables and fruits, and I remember my family giving it to neighbors and coworkers. jenningsask@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteAlways checking in on my neighbors
ReplyDeleteI am 71 and my parents have been gone for a long time now, over 40 years. So I am having to think way back for specific ways they were neighborly. We had cookouts and made homemade ice cream with some of the neighbors every summer. My mom would watch neighbors' children when someone had a doctor's appointment or was sick. She would take food to a family after the loss of a loved one. My dad would help someone fix their car when needed. I'm sure they did more since we had some close neighbors but that's all I can think of right now.
ReplyDeleteMy family had 10 hungry people to feed, but Mom and Dad always had room for more. They loved to share with missionaries! I remember a caring and sharing home where we looked out for others. Living through the depression, my parents experienced that firsthand. Already read your book - highly recommend it!
ReplyDeleteMy mom bought clothes and food for my best friend.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in small towns, and my dad was a pastor. They definitely taught us to be neighborly.
ReplyDeleteI also lived in Montana for a few years in my childhood. We lived in western Montana, though, in a small town called Deer Lodge.
Heather Mitchell crhbmitchellfam@duck.com