Beware the Ides of March: Fire at the Neighbors' House

Julius Caesar taught me to always Beware the Ides of March. And that was never more apparent than this afternoon when a firetruck ended up parked precisely on the highway in front of the neighbors' house all because my neighbor Lee was desperate to cook some bratwursts over a campfire. Oh yes. Bratwursts make people do all sorts of crazy things.



It all started when my neighbor was trespassing in the yard behind us. It's not like anyone minds though considering the house was vacated long ago and is currently foreclosed property. Lee was busy trimming some branches that were annoying him immensely and had a light bulb go off in his head, an idea involving fire, tree limbs, and bratwursts.



However, his bubble was quickly burst the moment his wife and I popped it with a sharp needle that is the word, "no," with an explanation wrapped in "city limits," "against the law," and "no, no, no." He even tried to reason bringing up the idea of putting out a tent in order to justify his camp fire. And although he was disappointed and pouting afterwards, we thought we were clear and precise with our "no," answers. I mean, we were eloquent, were we not? We were articulate, were we not?



We were, until Lee bounces out their back door informing us the fire department was on its way. Now, his wife and I were laughing, because Lee tells some funny jokes, but this wasn't a joke. He was serious. Not liking our answers, he called the fire department and asked them, so they were on their way to inspect the property and to possibly give him a permit for such an act. Now, we're clever girls, my neighbor Christy and I, and we quickly pointed towards the power lines, the brush, the tree in close proxemics, and that there wasn't really a spot to contain such a beast as a fire. But Lee's obviously not a chap to let facts bring him down. Oh no. So as he anxiously awaited the fire department's arrival, and as Christy and I waited to get our final laugh, Lee built himself a makeshift fire pit using bricks and large rocks. And by this time, Christy's brother, Thomas joined us with our playful teasing and wise words.




They weren't kidding when they said they were sending the fire department. A huge firetruck and three firemen parked their truck right on the highway. They were well aware of the small space, the power lines, and everything else Christy and I suggested, but they must have known what it's like to be male and desperately craving a bratwurst because for some odd reason, they allowed the fire. They handed a very wide grinned with pride Lee his shiny new permit on carbon paper, while the children sat in little lawn chairs as very observant spectators and watched the whole events unfold. Christy and I still couldn't stop laughing.



(Oh and don't worry about the fire. This Indian kept us safe.)


It was probably a wise investment of time on Lee's behalf and quick thinking to devise such a fire pit and I've never witnessed a man so enthralled by a flame. It was like he had discovered fire for the first time. And I must admit, it's been quite a while since I've had that good of a laugh at the expense of somebody else. I also didn't mind being wrong. It was the best entertainment and fun for all. Especially the children and Fudge.





All they were missing was popcorn. Lee already had the bratwursts covered. Obviously.