All Neighbors in Sabine Parish, LA
Top Neighbors: The magic behind the mirrors
You will never have to pay to be listed as a top neighbor. Period. That important detail clarified, let's discuss how we arrive at two "top neighbors" for a given region:
Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
In the community where I live, we have endured one of the the most severe droughts in years. While many people in the nation are concerned about more flood waters, residents in West Central Louisiana, were hoping for just a couple of inches of rain to relieve the parched pasture land - home of many cattle and horses. 
My husband comes from a family of cattlemen, so not just our family- but many other family businesses have been suffering because of the lack of rain. 
In fact, many cattlemen in these areas of drought have had to sell their entire cattle herds (their businesses) because the lack of rain resulted in havving no hay to feed the cattle through the winter. My husband has delayed selling his herd ............hoping, praying. Here are my grandchildren on some hay my husband grew LAST year! 
When we heard that Tropical Storm Lee was brewing and might be headed our way.......The "threat" of several inches of rain was more of a PROMISE to us! 
I knew that Tropical Storm Lee would be special because we have 4 very special "Lee's" in our family. This is Jason and Josey Lee, my two youngest grandchildren....
And here are their parents, Beth and Dustin Lee.....my daughter and her husband.
So...while the RAIN (and loss of internet service) kept me from posting on ACTIVE Rain for two days, and I will miss the opportunity for the extra points in the "September 30 day localism challenge", it was a true BLESSING to receive this much needed rainfall in my home town! (And YES, I DID have "withdrawal symptoms" from AR!)
In 1959, there was no Kindergarten class available at the the small rural school I attended! This is actually a picture of me a little younger than Kindergarten age. My first year of school was First Grade.
We bought "cokes" (which was NOT limited to Coca Cola products) for six cents at the vending machine in the school hall at recess........
We sat in great desks.......one of which I purchased for my home when the old school was torn down! 
We read about Alice and Jerry and their perfect lives and wondered why ours wasn't..... Just before my Mother died, she purchased this antique copy of "Friendly Village" for me as a Christmas gift! She knew I would love it!
But you know the cool thing about living and going to school in a small rural town in Louisiana? Most of the children I started school with in 1959......we graduated from Florien High School together twelve years later! And this year we celebrate our 40 year reunion! 
