Revisiting a short piece I wrote a couple of years back, mostly as a reminder to myself that the noisy, dirty, disruptive roadwork currently taking place on our street – and, some days such as today, shaking our house to its very foundations – hasn’t always been there… and is definitely not a permanent fixture. 🙂
Urban Serenity
Funny, but I never really expected it to be this way, ever, when I first knew I’d be moving here. Quiet, I mean. Serene. A relative oasis of calm in the midst of a tightly-packed, long-established city neighbourhood.
Yet so many times, more than I could have imagined, it is.
Our houses are within arm’s reach of each other. A narrow laneway separates one backyard from the next. Unlike the larger lots of suburbia, there’s not a whole lot of either space or privacy here in this close-to-downtown neck of the urban woods.
But there are times – hours at a time – when the not-so-distant noises of the city, the cars, the neighbours are muffled into insignificant background by a melodious cacophony of insistent birdsong… by the scampering pitter-pat of tiny squirrel feet chasing each other in play across the roof tiles… by the calmative bubbling splashes of an outdoor fountain. Times when a soft breeze ruffles the leaves of the tall trees… captures and disperses the heady fragrance of the lilac bushes… composes a tinkling harmony with our neighbour’s collection of wind chimes. Times when the aroma of cut grass and even the mechanical purr of a lawnmower a few houses away elicits sweet memories of summer days, barbecues, laughter with friends.
This is home.
This is MY home.
(Originally posted in May, 2012.)
That was absolutely beautiful.
Can’t wait to own my own home – even if I’m 50. I need this kind of tranquility in my life.
Keep in Touch(ed),
KG
http://www.kgstyleinc.com
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2014
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Wordless Wednesday: Mother’s Day Edition
Twitter: RamblinGarden
May 8, 2014
I spent my first 23 or so years in apartments. Couldn’t wait to own a home.Was fortunate enough to be able to do it that yung. Now, there can be a lot of noise where I live, but I can also hear birdsong and squirrels, and watch them, too. I never tire of it – right now, I’m outdoors!
Alana recently posted… 28 Years Later
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2014
How lovely! I couldn’t wait either. I’m glad we both ended up where we wanted. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Wordless Wednesday: Mother’s Day Edition
Twitter: juliejordanscot
May 8, 2014
Oh, Laurel – I love this piece. I had all but forgotten the BlogHer prompts and themes it has been so long and wow. I love this piece! I am still seeking my home probably because even as I write I realize I am, more and more, creating it exactly where I’ve been for these past two decades!
I also wanted to tell you I have several series with oodles of writing prompts that are not like all the others – there are quotes, questions, lists to make and then the traditional, open ended prompts.
This post has a link to three prompt links at the end of the page and you’ve inspired me to do a top ten prompt link up as well. Inspiring other writers is what I do.
I inhale, I exhale, I eat, drink water, dance… write write write and reach out.
http://juliejordanscott.typepad.com/julie_unplugged/2014/05/aztemplate.html
Julie Jordan Scott recently posted… Sometimes it feels impossible to write. To speak: Listen to What Your Heart is Telling You.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 8, 2014
Thank you, Julie – much appreciated, and I will check out the post! Glad you stopped by. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Wordless Wednesday: Mother’s Day Edition
Twitter: mnutralicious
May 9, 2014
I have been a home owner for 3 years now. Like you, I would have never imagined how peaceful and quiet it would be living in a tightly packed neighborhood.
I hope your neighborhood construction comes to an end soon so that you can get back to enjoying the quiet! Meanwhile, I suggest focusing on bird watching instead of bird listening. 🙂
Miss Nutralicious recently posted… Mother’s Day Gift
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 9, 2014
LOL, probably a good idea! 😉
Laurel Regan recently posted… Construction Zone
Twitter: lvfromana
May 10, 2014
It sounds like bliss where you are. I am a city girl myself. I love the buzz of that but I like my home quiet and I wouldn’t like to be without my garden.
Ana recently posted… Three Things To Share From My Week
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 10, 2014
I’m a city girl too – my husband laughs at me when I say I’d feel claustrophobic living out in the country!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Construction Zone
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