Moon Howlers

I am at home.  All alone.  I could tell you that I was invited to the wedding in Sydney Merril is attending, but you would be less likely to feel sorry for me.  Besides I can bark at strange noises with the best of them.  I must admit though I refuse to bark at a dog barking in the neighbourhood.  Bonnie next door does that, and does it very well.
Not only that, but a man has his dignity.  I draw the line at sitting on the driveway and howling at the moon.  It really looks more authentic when the moon is actually there and not on the other side of the world.  It being there seems to have more impact.
I reckon like attracts like.  I think this is a moon howlers neighbourhood.  It is never stated in the ads though, as that would put some people off.  For others it can be like a magnet.  That tends to be a word of mouth thing.  A talk to the neighbours before purchasing the house often gives an unstated picture.  If a potential neighbour says something like “well to be honest Frank up the road tends to sit on his driveway and howl at the moon” a moon howler knows this is the place for them.  If the potential neighbour then clears their throat and says “I can sometimes do the same” then the purchaser knows all their Christmas’s have come at once.
Bruce, Clive and Denise up the road confirm to me this is a moon howlers neighbourhood.    I did not mention Graham.  He reminds me that not all moon howlers are experienced.  Some are wanna be moon howlers.  We all were once.  I sort of knew he was a wanna be moon howler when he sat on his driveway and howled at the sun.  A number of us went over at that point.  He was great.  We told him he could give moon howlers a bad name.  Now he can be seen out howling at the moon with the best of them.
When a wife comes out and looks around and ushers a moon howler inside it gives away that the person is not doing it because their wife is away, but because it is just what they do.  Sometimes though the moon howling gets too much.  It is like I can be inside trying to get some sleep but without success because of moon howlers.  Ok if it is just one I can say “knock it off Clive, we are trying to get some sleep.”  But if everyone is out, then I know I am wasting my time.
I mentioned before that Graham now howls with the best of them.  I know I am not one of the best of them.  Bruce is really good.  He is so good he has made a business out of it.  Once a week people come to him for lessons in moon howling.  He has been doing a roaring trade.  Fire engines do not fool me though.  I refuse to join the chorus that goes up when a siren sounds.  Doesn’t seem to worry Bruce though, but I think he might be just showing off.
Not everyone understands.  Those that do do, and those that don’t really don’t.  Personally, I am just glad to have something that is of mutual interest to me and the neighbours.