Wherever we have lived, we have always had great luck with neighbors.

Our current gang is no exception. We live on a very short lane, so there are only six other families besides us, and we're all pretty busy and self-absorbed most of the time, but occasionally someone has a barbecue  (we just attended a pig and wine affair next door that was fabulous—a whole roast pig and the neighbors' own syrah).

Another has a pool and a bocce ball court (I'm still resisting learning how to play that one—I'd rather hang out with the women and gossip. Call me shallow).

We have none of those things, but we do have a garden, a "green garden," yet (I thought all gardens were mostly green), and an orchard, so we do make our contribution. So far this year, we've contributed blueberries, raspberries, pears, cucumbers, tomatoes and fresh basil.

But of course, the best is yet to come: now, to decide which lucky neighbor will get the giant zucchini.