Hidden GardensTonight I found another world. It’s been hiding in plain sight in an alley that is just a few steps from my house. If I had stayed glued to my recliner and not gotten myself out the door for a walk I would never have seen it. It was a reminder that sometimes it’s a good idea to take another path. How did I find this magical place? I decided instead of my usual route walking the streets in my neighbor I would walk down the alleys. The houses in my neighborhood are mostly small older homes squished together onto small lots. Everyone surrounds their yards with fences to give the illusion of privacy. After strolling down a stark tunnel of tall fences and garage doors, I headed into the alley of the houses directly across the street from my house. What a surprise! Almost everyone had planted mini gardens in the tiny spaces in front of their garages and fences. The houses were completely unrecognizable from the alley. Although I may have waved at some of these folks from time to time I had no idea who these precious gardens belonged to. Who knew there were so many creative artists living just across the street. Some of the gardens were meticulously planted and arranged and some were created using worn out containers that had had former lives in the kitchen or the closet. There were driftwood borders, repeated by different neighbors, in long stretches on both sides of the alley. Obviously they inspired each other. They inspired me too. I thought about my own alley, particularly the neglected section behind my house. Although I have spent hours digging and planting veggies and other plants in my front yard, the space on the alley side of my back fence looks like a weedy jungle. I don’t want to turn this experience into another reason to feel like a sloth, even though I can be very sloth-like at times. I want to think of it as inspiration. When I do have time to attack the alley with my weed whacker I might want to consider making a little hidden garden of my own. and be open to the beautiful surprises I can find by taking a different path.
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Leslie Masona woman in search of her post-retirement future Guess what! By subscribing, you get notices about the latest Little Old Lady with Cats posts sent to your mailbox!
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