@Discombobulated I think you've understood my disappointment very well. Thanks for giving it some thought. I guess you're right. We try out contacts and see what happens. Trial and error. I'm not obligated to be at this person's disposal. I think I won't be.

To set a limit and pull away from someone who is lonely and wanting sympathy is hard for me. I see my neighbor's virtues and I do like her. But I also see how she has probably alienated people. She can be critical and self-absorbed. She does a lot of whining. I feel bad for her. Her life has been hard. I think everone's life is hard. I can only listen to so many sad stories.

I recently pulled away from another friendship where this person was calling me up a lot to fill some of her empty hours. I'ld come to think of her as a kind of parasite. I know that sounds harsh. But people who seek attention and don't really offer any in return can be so draining. I suppose it's up to me to set limits and stick to them.