Neighborhood watch

I have joined the neighborhood brigade that sits outside their front doors (or in the doorway if it is cold) and surveys all. Ok, the other two people who do this on a daily basis are Mrs O'Reilly and Mrs Sullivan, and they are in their 80s or perhaps 90s. They have gotten more frail over the years. Mrs O'Reilly is now hard of hearing and requires one of the neighbors to walk her ugly dog daily. Up until two years ago she walked over to Phoenix Park at least once a day with pet in tow.
Poor Mrs Sullivan has been poorly for years now. More heavyset than Mrs O'Reilly, she has problems with her hips and hasn't ventured on foot more than 10 steps from her front door in years. Both ladies have great tans despite Ireland's climate though. Some days they sit together and chat; others they stay in their respective doorways.
Mostly I just wave to them or call out hello since they are directly across the street. If they are looking particularly lonely, I sometimes chat for a moment. As I set off around the corner to a friend's house on our way to the same wedding last Saturday, I stopped by to let them know why I was all dolled up. They told me to enjoy myself, and as I walked away I heard one saying to the other "she's a good girl."

A couple of years ago, I got extensive work done on the house. It desperately needed heating for starters. I ended up living at Rugby Girl's house longer than expected. One day I got a text from another friend who lives on the road, checking on how I was and letting me know that the two ladies were worried about me. They wanted to know if I had moved (as if I would without telling them!), and if not when would I be back.
Once I had moved in, unpacked, and tidied up, Mrs O'Reilly called over to check out the changes one evening. She approved. I offered her tea but she refused because she had already had soup for her dinner.
Mrs O'Reilly and Mrs Sullivan were the first people I met on the road when I moved in nine years ago. Both born and raised in the neighborhood, they set the tone for the community I joined. It wouldn't be the same without them.