my backyard park.

so, i'm sitting outside. and once again i have concluded that we are so lucky to have the house we have. seriously, how many people can honestly say their backyard is like a park. our yard totally is. its so enclosed, secluded (yet right in town kinda), and is so calming(unless there are obnoxious dogs barking and kids yelling). i absolutely love sitting out here alone when its sunny. now its not even really that sunny. its that almost sunset stage and the lighting and shadows out here are simply amazing. i'm cold and yet i dont want to leave. i like sitting here just observing. the sounds- birds chirping, occasional dog barks, people talking/yelling, lawnmowers... the sights- the yard, green grass, flowers, trees with fresh baby leaves just barely there, the sunlight, the surrounding homes' rooftops... the air- cool and crisp... its just so nice. all of it. strangely enough, i like the sound of lawnmowers breaking the silence. it reminds me that the weather is warm enough to be outside enjoying it. i enjoy the varying scents of people's grilling dinners. i like the sound of children playing, the sound of people enjoying one another's company outside in the afternoons. i like hearing the neighbors' summer parties, no matter how late into the morning they last. i like the wind when it is strong enough to sound like i am at the beach in indiana. i like the heat of the sunlight. i like rain. i like the smell of rain. i like it when it hasn't rained in a while, then it pours in the evening, so i- alone- go outside and stand there... or run around. i like rain. i like storms when they roll in for the evening and night and leave the mornings damp and crisp. i like the mornings. everything looks so fresh- like nature just woke up all refreshed and ready to endure a new day- no matter what gets thrown at it. i like listening to the birds- there are so many different, distinct chirps. right now, i hear at least four different ones.
just looking around right now, everything looks so surreal. so calm. so beautiful.
this is springtime. the weather does as it pleases. the animals are out and roaming. the birds are everywhere. the flowers are just starting to bloom. the grass is lush and green and looks like the fluffiest, softest carpet ever made. the leaves on trees are just starting to grow. from nothing. all winter, the trees are so barren, then one day, out of what seems to be nothing, the end of a dead branch, a tiny green leaf shows up. then a few days later, it appears larger until one day, i look outside and see- wow, all of the trees are so full. so green. when did i blink and miss this? the orchard blooms. the fruits grow. one day i look in the orchard and wonder, when did i blink and miss all of the fruit grow. i don't remember it even blooming. then i think back, oh yes, i did notice the lovely flowers on the trees. yes, i did.
i wish i could never blink and miss the yard- our mini park transforming so slowly, yet so quickly. i wish i could pay such close attention i could see each leaf grow. each flower's blossom bloom. each apple, each pear, each peach. although, if i did not blink, the amazing springtime transformation would not be as impressive. it would not be do impactful. i like blinking. one day seeing the darkness, the gloom of winter... then one day looking out the window- look! the leaves are starting to show up! then i blink again. look! the flowers are blooming! another blink and the leaves are totally full with leaves and the yard is as beautiful as can be. flowers and their aroma filling the bubble of my yard.
my own personal park.

<3