Bad vs Good Neighbors

Black Lake

 Once upon a time in the American west all neighbors were good neighbors. You had to be a good neighbor because you never knew when you might need your neighbor's help. Black Lake was at least two hours from the sheriff or the nearest hospital. Mechanics were always rather iffy and if you found a good one you stuck by them.

New comers didn't always understand the rules or comply with them. Most of the old timers didn't talk to you until you lived here at least two years. Many didn't last that long. Some thought they could change the rules. That they knew best. That the wide open spaces gives them permission to set their own rules. But it is wise to be aware that just because you can doesn't mean you should. Let's take dogs. New comers believe dogs are free outside the city. But livestock trumps dogs. And chickens are livestock. Guns are tools for protecting livestock.

Fences make for good neighbors, whether it is for keeping cattle out or dogs in. It isn't always easy to do either but that is the goal. Both need to be kept off the highway. Newcomers are judged on how badly they do. And how they show up during snow storms or high fire danger or pulling neighbors out of the bar ditch or can find the jumper cables quickly or help out in personal crisis. Note causing a crisis earns you demerits. Politics and conspiracy theories have no advantage but knowing how the wind is blowing are skills worth having. You may not chat across the fence daily but they are there when needed. 

Having a good neighbor is worth lots. Having a bad neighbor is a liability.