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.
Oh I loved reading this. You are so descriptive– I like your description of home 🙂
Cheers, Jenn
Jenn recently posted… A Special Thank You
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 5, 2012
Thanks so much, Jenn!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Urban Serenity
Oh I love the smell of cut grass too, it does suddenly transport you to childhood summers! Your home sounds wonderful…
Lou Lou Loves recently posted… The Dragon has spoken
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 6, 2012
Thank you – I am very happy here! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Urban Serenity
Twitter: susandusterhoft
May 6, 2012
Thanks for sharing…I remember when I first moved to the city after living in the country for what seemed like forever. I had a hard time sleeping. It was my first time on my own and I lived next door to the fire department. Oh what a joy that was…wish it would have been more like yours now!
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 7, 2012
Yikes – that would be just a little disruptive! Especially in a city like mine, where we have an as-yet-uncaught arsonist on the loose!
Laurel Regan recently posted… iPad Practice
Didn’t see that coming:) I’m glad you like living in the city, and can still hear the birds and enjoy all the things you talked about in your post. Sounds like a wonderful place to live:)
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Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 7, 2012
Thank you so much – glad you stopped by! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… iPad Practice
Your home sounds lovely, thank you so much for sharing – I feel like I just took a stroll through your neighborhood! I found your blog through the SITS Spring Fling Link-Up and I am now a follower. Good day 🙂
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 7, 2012
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jess – so glad you stopped by! Very nice to meet you. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… iPad Practice
It sounds beautiful. There’s nothing like the feeling of being completely at home, is there?
Classic NYer recently posted… On the tears of the campus
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 9, 2012
Agreed! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… Learning to laugh at yourself
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