But where is it on a MAP???

Upper 4th Street has a nice little ring to it, doesn't it?  Sounds like a pleasant place to live, right?  Well, the correct answer to both of these questions is "yes".  But try finding the place on a map!  In my town, it doesn't exist -- unless you ask those of us who LIVE on 4th Street.  Oh, we know exactly where Upper 4th is, because we created it!

You see, it all started with my husband, the Brew-meister. (or, as he's also known, the Bruce-meister)  He's a home-brewer, and a very talented one, at that.  He makes terrific beer (or so I'm told, since I don't drink the stuff), and he happily shares it with our neighbors and friends.  There are informal block parties on a pretty regular basis on our street, and if there's something in the keg that's ready to be shared, well, you better believe that keg's coming out!  If there's nothing in the keg, never fear!  You won't have to drink cheap, yellow-water beer - at least not from our house - because Bruce won't allow it!  In his estimation, the various beers available in the local grocery stores are hardly worthy to even be called 'beer'.

Over time, he's turned many of our neighbors and friends into 'beer snobs'. (are they enlightened, or have they turned to the "dark side"??)  However, before that transformation, there was lots of teasing about Bruce's taste in beers.  And the comment was made by our neighbor Aaron (who lives on the other end of the block) that obviously there was higher-class beer served on "Upper 4th Street" than could be found on "Lower 4th Street" (where Aaron and his wife Marissa live).  And although the quality of beer served on Lower 4th Street is improving dramatically, the titles seem to be permanent.  Strangely enough, they've become more a common bond than divisive.

So now, on our street there is Upper and Lower, though no map will show the distinction.  Even so, it doesn't matter if you live on the east or west end - friends always seem to meet in the middle.

Until next time, be blessed.