“Hi! My name is Rebecca. I live in your neighborhood so thought I’d drop around, introduce myself and get to know you a little better. I’m always looking for new friends.

"My family has lived here for generations. How about yours? Back in the old days it was just the first nation's people and my ancestors. They were good neighbors. We never became too friendly, but we learned to live together.”

“I see you have a family. I’ll be having one soon too. Right now I’m out house hunting. Do you know any places that allow children? My lifestyle has me sleeping all day and working all night. I don’t need much room, and I’m not terribly noisy. Not the gossipy type either. I’ll be too busy minding my own business, feeding the kids and teaching them how to live in our environment.  

"Speaking of the environment, it sure isn’t what it was, is it? I remember when this was just one big forest, now most of it has disappeared. If we keep developing at this rate there won’t be any trees left. I suppose it comes down to lifestyles. I know that I’ve had to make a lot of adjustments in my lifetime.  I hate to think what will happen to my children, don’t you? The natural food sources are dwindling too  There use to be brambles and hazelnut trees right here. Oh for the good old days.

“What do you think about all this pollution? I can hardly see the mountains anymore. Remember when you didn’t worry about drinking out of the local streams? I’d rather take my chance with swimming pools nowadays.  Speaking of swimming, have you noticed all the oil run-off from the roads?  Goes right into the ocean you know. Affects everything, fish, clams, crabs and the water. Most of it comes from those noisy cars. Seems to be more and more each year. If you don’t gag on their exhaust, they run you down. My cousin was killed not far from here just last month.

"Well I do go on, don’t I? I hope that I haven’t overstayed my visit and I’m awfully glad that we’ve met. Oh yes, about my house. I only need an entrance of 6 inches. Can you believe that? Bet looking at me you never would have guessed that a roly-poly raccoon could get into a space that small. Of course, if you would prefer not to have me as your neighbor, just say so. If I can’t find food, water, or readily available shelter in your yard then I’ll move on.  Mind you, a little space under your porch will suit me just fine, or if you prefer I can make a den under your shed.  I don’t want to cause any problems for either one of us. I only want some space to raise my family. Is that too much to ask?"