However, in that shambles, there is something that is endearing and a reminder that we live in Rowlett. With all of Rowlett's little foibles, it is still a great place to live. I have to tell a story.
My neighbor is a retired widower. He is a great guy, altho because of him, I have to keep my grass mowed. Gardening, his lawn, and landscaping are his hobbies. There isn't a blade of grass out of place in his lawn. In the past, when I mowed our own lawn, we would meet at mid-lot every Saturday morning. I would be mowing from the front of my lot toward the back. He would be mowing from the back of his lot toward the front. Every time we passed each other, I would curse him out. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have to mow my lot.
Anyhow, a couple of days ago, he came running over to our house. He had locked himself out of his house, and he thought he had left something on the stove. We called every locksmith in Rowlett and Rockwall looking for a locksmith that could get to his house within a reasonable time. No luck. The nearest service we could get was three hours out. It was almost panic time or break a window time. It would probably take a week to get a window fixed after the tornado.
Someone said, "Maybe we can call the fire department." I thought, "What a ridiculous idea." Everybody looked at one another. Then someone said, "Why not?" No one had an answer. Then, my neighbor picked up the phone and called the fire department. The person on the other end listened to the story. Then she said she would call right back. She did. I answered the phone. She said a truck would be right over. I was standing out front. In a couple of minutes a very red fire truck pull up and three firemen popped out. One got a pry bar. In two minutes my neighbor was in his house.
We were all very delighted. We all shook hands and we thanked them profusely. Then, they drove off into the sunset, never leaving a silver bullet. Someone down the street yelled, "There they go.....our Fire Department," and wiped a tear from their eye.
Ain't Rowlett grand, or what? Try getting that done in St. Louis.