When the neighbors were together on my porch, I hoped no one would notice that I hadn’t cleaned the spot where I store garden tools. Everything else had been swept or wiped down. As I walked near the messy spot, Bob asked, “What is all this?”

I replied that those were my outside tools, and some probably should be thrown away. He said something comforting, like he could see some good things. I said, “I have to take everything out and clean it up. Maybe I’ll do it on a rainy day.”

Four days later as it began to rain, I thought of what I had said to Bob. That was the spur that got me out on the porch. I threw away one ratty pair of John’s gloves and moved two large rakes and some screening material to the garage. It wasn’t hard to clean the tray and sweep the floor, I just needed a nudge. Thank you, Bob, for inspiring me to put that corner to rights.