The Neighborhood
I am walking in my neighborhood again. It is the closest I will come to Nature, as I do not get out of the city much. I would rather be in a national forest or state park, but this simple act works well to combine healthy exercise with a brief outdoor communion. All I need to do is step outside my front door.
My neighborhood could never be called "cookie-cutter". You may find a grocery cart, a brightly painted home, a bicycle vender selling ice cream, a fallen fence or an unmanaged yard, but this diversity is what I like about it. In all, most of the 1950's homes are fairly well kept, with a cultural richness that truly comforts me. Walking through is an adventure that tells a new story every day.
I am walking in my neighborhood again. It is the closest I will come to Nature, as I do not get out of the city much. I would rather be in a national forest or state park, but this simple act works well to combine healthy exercise with a brief outdoor communion. All I need to do is step outside my front door.
My neighborhood could never be called "cookie-cutter". You may find a grocery cart, a brightly painted home, a bicycle vender selling ice cream, a fallen fence or an unmanaged yard, but this diversity is what I like about it. In all, most of the 1950's homes are fairly well kept, with a cultural richness that truly comforts me. Walking through is an adventure that tells a new story every day.
The Trees
One of the first things that attracted me to my neighborhood was the innumerable, mature trees. After Hurricane Ike a few years ago, and then the drought of last year, many of these beauties were more than compromised, especially the tall pines. This one caught my eye one morning, as it stood against the changing sky,
black birds resting and conversing on its lifeless limbs.
One of the first things that attracted me to my neighborhood was the innumerable, mature trees. After Hurricane Ike a few years ago, and then the drought of last year, many of these beauties were more than compromised, especially the tall pines. This one caught my eye one morning, as it stood against the changing sky,
black birds resting and conversing on its lifeless limbs.
Bark always interests me. The way it crusts over or grows smooth, or changes color and texture throughout the year. This close up is from some sort of evergreen, which usually appears as a low bush in a landscaped yard. This one was a good 15 feet tall.
It is particularly satisfying to share this photo (below), as these trees clearly survived the extremely parched 2011 in
It is particularly satisfying to share this photo (below), as these trees clearly survived the extremely parched 2011 in
Texas. The house and yard are pleasing to look at, I think. Wish I could say this about my home and its plot of land. I have a 12 foot deceased, fan-palm tree, fuzzy landscaping, a crooked garage door, and a driveway that seems to have risen from the dead - or at least from large tree roots. Like most people who reside in my neighborhood, there are numerous reasons things are left undone. Money and time would be an easy guess.
I love palm trees. It takes many years to grow this tall, and just love to see them rising above all else, sending their balmy message. But, it is the oak trees that hold the "grandmother status" for me. Their branches spread out to shield all around and below, as they provide a home for a multitude of animals and birds… not to forget all those creepy crawlies. Most oaks in this area tend to keep their leaves year round, which helps a great deal to drown out the sounds of the nearby freeway. It is a mixed bag having it so close. I can get into the city in minutes on a good traffic day - an oxymoron, but there are days when it seems to be right outside my door.
Yards
Nature takes over quickly. If someone isn't culling out small trees and plants, a yard will soon become overrun, but this may not be an issue for some homeowners. I am certain a unique few like the hidden quality… kind of a private sanctuary. A few things come to mind - a recluse, a naturalist, an eccentric soul, a penniless dweller, a lazy gardener, or perhaps the home is simply abandoned. A part of me wants to let my yard go wild, but I would prefer to put in an organic garden.
Nature takes over quickly. If someone isn't culling out small trees and plants, a yard will soon become overrun, but this may not be an issue for some homeowners. I am certain a unique few like the hidden quality… kind of a private sanctuary. A few things come to mind - a recluse, a naturalist, an eccentric soul, a penniless dweller, a lazy gardener, or perhaps the home is simply abandoned. A part of me wants to let my yard go wild, but I would prefer to put in an organic garden.
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Speaking of yards, landscaping always says so much about the homeowners. I am sure a psychologist could have a field day with mine. I just love what people put in front of their homes. Fake animals, dried up or overgrown beds, hoses, stones, saints, virgins, holiday stuff, out-dated political signs, bird baths, swings, hammocks, patios, decks, barb-b-q grills, quirky seating,
planters, flower pots - the list is endless, at least in my neighborhood.
planters, flower pots - the list is endless, at least in my neighborhood.
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Signs
In a neighborhood this large, there are many garage sales. Some individuals seem to have far too many, which by restrictions should only be twice a year per household. I am sure they did not get that memo. The hardest signs to view are all the lost pets - mostly dogs. I have also lost one of my dear family members in this vast neighborhood.
In a neighborhood this large, there are many garage sales. Some individuals seem to have far too many, which by restrictions should only be twice a year per household. I am sure they did not get that memo. The hardest signs to view are all the lost pets - mostly dogs. I have also lost one of my dear family members in this vast neighborhood.
It seems to swallow them up . We never found him, with all our thorough, devoted effort. Every posted sign I see takes me right back to how desperate I felt… "please, if anyone has seen our dog… please contact us… we'll do anything… we'll pay anything... please? ". It's like a helpless cry in the dark for most, sadly. I was heartbroken.
Speaking of dogs running loose, they often do in this area. Is this true of most neighborhoods? Some years ago I stopped walking in mine because all too often some sad, tired and very thirsty puppy would follow me home.
Speaking of dogs running loose, they often do in this area. Is this true of most neighborhoods? Some years ago I stopped walking in mine because all too often some sad, tired and very thirsty puppy would follow me home.
The hardest part was taking care of them while I went through all the effort to find their owners. Usually, weeks later and after our becoming totally attached to this sweet animal, there were still no calls. A puppy has a better chance to find a home if I ended up taking it to a shelter, but an older dog was doomed. I knew this, so I often made the only decision I could live with. At one point I had 4 dogs. Hard on the pockets, to say the least, but I like to think I was providing a healthy, loving home.
Time
I like to think about how this area will look like in a thousand years. The neighborhood will be under layers of soil and fauna, long ago forsaken for higher ground or some other reason I hope not to know about in the near future. There will still be remnants of those who once lived here… perhaps a few impressions left in a freshly laid sidewalk. These paw prints (above) were probably from a doggie that lived 50 years ago. This sidewalk is part of the original grid that was built when the houses were first going in. I admire it whenever I walk this particular street, stepping over it like it's some sort of precious, archeological find.
I like to think about how this area will look like in a thousand years. The neighborhood will be under layers of soil and fauna, long ago forsaken for higher ground or some other reason I hope not to know about in the near future. There will still be remnants of those who once lived here… perhaps a few impressions left in a freshly laid sidewalk. These paw prints (above) were probably from a doggie that lived 50 years ago. This sidewalk is part of the original grid that was built when the houses were first going in. I admire it whenever I walk this particular street, stepping over it like it's some sort of precious, archeological find.
Although this card is fleeting, it just seemed so appropriate, laying there in the blades of grass and strewn leaves with its sweet message. Knowing someone lost or discarded it, I am still certain it was left for me, as it speaks to my heart... "no matter where you are". I love these morning walks.
Did I mention I need a good pair of walking shoes?
Did I mention I need a good pair of walking shoes?
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