I am moving here ASAP. This is the kind of HOA I can get down with.
I’ve always found it charming when neighborhoods are super tight-knit. Growing up with neighbors that your parents hate doesn’t always lead to the most fun neighborhood block parties, so I’ve always dreamt of moving to a neighborhood where everyone gets along and can come together a few nights a year for a potluck or share a few drinks.
My dreams might have just been elevated after seeing this viral TikTok of a Kentucky neighborhood that takes their community gatherings to the next level. A social media user shared that their Kentucky neighborhood does themed community events and often pays homage to Possum, holding George Jones nights.
“Another amazing George Jones Neighborhood Night in the books! Delicious food, fun times, great company, and a mower parade to top it all off! Cheers to George Jones and the unforgettable memories!”
The neighbors went all out, and the user captured a moment from the lawn mower parade as the neighborhood made their way to the host’s house for the fun evening. Each lawn mower was decked out; some resembled Jones’ iconic green riding lawn mower. Some neighbors even attached trailers on the back of their mowers so the whole family could ride along, creating more than one seat.
For those readers who do not understand the correlation between Possum and lawn mowers, George infamously used a riding mower as a means of transportation when he was in search of alcohol. With his drinking habits requiring a heavy amount of booze to satiate, there are multiple stories of Jones’ wives hiding the keys to keep him in the house, but with his determination to have another drink, he would find the keys to the lawn mower.
In Jones’ autobiography, I Lived to Tell It All, he recalls one instance when his second wife, Shirley Corley, tried her hardest to keep Jones in the house so he could not get more alcohol.
“Once, when I had been drunk for several days, Shirley decided she would make it physically impossible for me to buy liquor. I lived about eight miles from Beaumont and the nearest liquor store. She knew I wouldn’t walk that far to get booze, so she hid the keys to every car we owned and left.
But she forgot about the lawn mower. I can vaguely remember my anger at not being able to find keys to anything that moved and looking longingly out a window at a light that shone over our property. There, gleaming in the glow, was that ten-horsepower rotary engine under a seat; a key glistening in the ignition.
I imagine the top speed for that old mower was five miles per hour. It might have taken an hour and a half or more for me to get to the liquor store, but get there I did.”
I am sure it was a sight to see Jones cruising down the road at a hot five miles per hour on his way to the store to secure another bottle. While some might think this a perfect solution not to drink and drive, do not be fooled. You can get a DUI on a driving mower, too…
I am sure this neighborhood gathering was filled with wholesome family fun, so there is no need to worry about seeing lights behind their mowers on the way home.
Great neighbors, who appreciate excellent country music—what more could you want?
@tinayes2travels Another amazing George Jones Neighborhood Night in the books! 🎉 Delicious food, fun times, great company, and a mower parade to top it all off! 🚜🍽️ Cheers to George Jones and the unforgettable memories! 🍻 #NeighborhoodNight #GoodTimes #makingmemories #georgejones ♬ original sound – Earn on Travel with Tina Gail
“Honky Tonk Song”
