I’m lucky to live in a walkable neighborhood–sidewalks, relative safety, nice houses and people. Even luckier, an adjacent neighborhood is more beautiful. (Oakridge Drive, for those of you who might care.) The houses are big and old, and so are the trees. The trees are majestic, even, and on this gorgeous fall day I’m trying to resist the word “dappled” for the sunlight streaming through them.
A friend recently moved into modest circumstances situated in a similarly deluxe neighborhood of Cleveland Heights. He likes to regard the streets surrounding him as his estate. As lord of the manor, he can walk for blocks and admire the well-manicured lawns and gardens. His workers take such good care of his domain!
Typical servants' quarters
I was imagining the same thing as I walked the streets of my affluent neighbors this afternoon. What a good job my servants are doing! Since I’m still canine-bereft, I’m also appreciative that many households maintain friendly dogs to fulfill my canine needs. A certain Snowball stopped and let me pet her while I chatted with her caregiver. As though reading my mind, Snowball leaned her whole weight against my legs and looked up adoringly into my eyes.
Do you “own” a park or neighborhood for walking? A place the world maintains for your benefit?
Your blog entry was delightfully familiar in two ways: my husband and I live across the street from the boundary of a historic neighborhood and we feel lucky that we have such a beautiful place to take our walks and I am always grateful when a friendly dog walker allows the dog to stop and chat….(the dogs usually want to, but sometimes the humans are jogging or otherwise not interested in taking the time to interact.) Thanks for a delightful entry.
It’s good to be child-like! Why not regard the world as placed there for you to enjoy? It’s funny how we get proprietary about our parks, or even city buildings, or libraries we love. They’re ours.
My park is our home at the end of a dead end street. I call it my little corner of the world. We have visitors from time to time that bring their kids down in wagons, or strollers, or a friendly older gentleman riding a bike with his dog at his side. Yes,it is our park. It has been a little neglected of late but the leaves are falling and there is beauty all around us. I will hate to ever have to leave here …
This really reminded me of my son. He is still in that stage where he believes that all he sees is his. I wonder what is must be like to go to a park and think, “people are so nice to have bought this land for me and to put swings in here simply for my enjoyment.”