The Neighborhood Series: The Bob Edition

I'm not sure that anyone could ask for a better neighbor than Bob. He and his wife, Ovaline -- or, Ovie, for short -- have lived on our street since 1967. Bob is a retired maintenance worker who grumbles daily about getting ripped off by our town, state, and federal governments; who has the greenest thumb of anyone I know; who loves to chat with the neighbors; and who showers his great-granddaughter, Ava, with love, attention, and most important -- patience -- for 40+ hours a week while one of his granddaughters works.

Bob and Ovie, at a recent neighborhood cook-out that we hosted at our house.

Anything that Bob plants springs to life, both in his small, in-town lot, and in his double plot in the community garden. In his small yard, he grows blueberries, apricots, lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes and herbs. Many of these plants are grown in pots, especially the herbs. Just walk past his house and his oregano will reach out and slap you. 


Bob loves to share his gardening with others, although I doubt that he would admit it. Bob has a truly generous spirit. I usually stop and chat with Bob as I drive or walk past his house, as he's always up for a visitor. On one day, Bob asked me, "Do you like broccoli?" "Sure - I like broccoli. Why?" Bob reached over and broke off a huge stem of broccoli, growing in a pot on the side of his driveway. "You might like this, then." Just mention that you like something and next thing you know, Bob's planted an extra row in his community garden just for you. Last spring I mentioned that I liked peas. That summer? So many peas that I made myself sick eating Bob's peas. Neil mentioned that he likes beets? We can't even keep up with the beets they come rolling in so fast. The produce comes all summer long. There is no need to buy a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share. We get just as much produce for free - delivered to our front steps! Bob has given us: lettuce, potatoes, onions, herbs, beets, peas, summer squash, zucchini, carrots, more tomatoes than anyone could ever eat, and the list goes on. You never know when it's coming. You just arrive home and sitting there on the stoop is a present from Bob. This afternoon I came home (from yet another trip to Maine) and found the following on our front stoop.

See the bunch of greens on the left-hand side of the stoop? Beets! (Pls. don't comment on the door! I love that little piece of grass growing out of the bottom. The door is nearly destroyed anyway!)

The beets from Bob.

Tomatoes, tomatoes, and more tomatoes - all from Bob - summer 2010.

Bob also gardens up and down our street - along the retaining wall. He has planted trees, shrubs, wisteria, rose bushes, glads, tulips, zinnias, and dahlias -- and tomatoes, cucumbers, and summer squash. Remember the 5 laundry baskets-full of dahlias that I got from "a neighbor?" Bob. He was tired of dahlias and decided to plant glads because "they are less work." OK, Bob! Here's a picture of our street, lined with Bob's flowers. Just mention that you like a particular color rose and Bob will plant it in front of your house. 

Bob's gardens on our street.

Bob drives down in front of our house to turn his car around -- but, this frequently is the impetus for an extended visit. Neil and Bob love to get each other going. They hurl insults at each other. Bob likes to say that we're the "rich liberals who ruined the neighborhood." Neil is one year older than Bob, so they argue about who is more handsome, who is harder working, and who is better informed about whatever political matter of the day. As I mentioned, Bob is always gripping about our town and Neil is always singing it's praises. They definitely know which conversations to bring up to bring out the best in each other! When I hear one of them yell, "I'm the old fart? What about you?!?" I know that Neil and Bob are getting in a good visit.


Bob and his wife, Ovie, have raised their three grandchildren and now, they provide full-time child care for their great-granddaughter, Ava, who is four years old. Ava goes everywhere with Bob - to the gardens, to pick blueberries, shopping, and she helps him weed, water plants, and wash the cars. He dotes on her and demonstrates such patience and insight into the life of a four year-old. It's always a wonderful thing to see. Our little river is filled with fish. Bob and Ava frequently go fishing. Bob brings down a bucket of worms and she passes one to him whenever he asks. He puts it on the hook and passes her the fishing pole. Within 30-60 seconds, her line is tugging and he helps her pull in another 4-6 inch fish. He holds it up for her, she touches it with her index finger, and then he takes it off the hook and throws it back in the water. Then they repeat this process for up for 45 minutes. Since they are standing on our property, we get to watch in awe.

Bob and Ovie's great-granddaughter, Ava.

Bob and Ava in 2010

Bob and Ava, fishing in 2011.

I hope that you're lucky enough to have a neighbor like Bob, too.


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