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.)
{ 10 comments… add one }
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: RambinGarden
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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