It would take a lot to replace our Polish neighbors:

• Kristina - a rather large lady who spontaneously filled our freezer with perogies 
• Buffy - a dog the size of a keg whose loving howl bellowed through the hallways of our apartment building
• Buffy’s sweet owners - who cried when we told them we were moving
• Mike & Kate - who had an open invite to their backyard and had a monthly Dungeons & Dragons all-day event (don’t worry Rho, we never attended - but we loved to watch!)

The new folks on W. 26th obviously have a lot to live up to.

In order to make the proper introductions, I busied myself making goodies.  It was a snowy Sunday morning when I began sifting the flour and baking soda and chopping the semi-sweet chocolate bars.  After a blanket of snow tucked my lawn in and my new/old windows had a layer of ice on their edges, I put the first round of chocolate chip cookies in the oven.  As they baked, I gathered my Christmas box and began writing notes to my two neighbors (ones to each side) and to the fire station on the corner.  After everything was topped with a bow and a homemade note, I braved Old Man Winter and pushed my smart wooled feet down into my Uggs. Three doorbells later I had met one set of neighbors (Frank, Frank Jr. and Margie) and a slew of brawny fireman all happy to receive a treat. 

The next day I had a note and a shoveled sidewalk.