This is my 'hood.

Not really. That is super-swank Rittenhouse.

This is our 'hood:

With its litter and weeds and abandoned houses.

With its too-talkative men and tricked-out cars.

With its persistent ice cream truck, charming trolley and yippy Papillon.

With its always-full bus stop and never-full cafes.

With its precious children and tough-loving mamas.

With its ultra cool hip-hopsters.

With its view of the skyline.

It is beautiful. It steals my heart and breaks it every day. I have so much to be thankful for, including a safe little row house in this neighborhood.

With love.