My Neighborhood

This past August, I was excited to move into a house near Florida Gulf Coast University, here in Fort Myers, Florida. Prior to this, I lived in an apartment, so having a nice yard, scattered with pretty trees and plants is a great new addition to my housing situation. Displayed in my front yard are several palm trees, along with a number of shrubs. The same can be said for most other homes along my street, which house mostly young families and other college students.

            One thing I love about my house is the back porch. It is a nicely sized screened in area that I use as my window to the outdoors. I enjoy sitting on the patio furniture while working on homework or studying for an upcoming exam. Sometimes I even like to go out there to simply sit and embrace a brief moment of escape from reality and all the responsibilities that go along with it.

 

            It is great because it is as though it is a small compartment of the world set aside just for me, so that I can safely observe the rest of it. From my quaint table and chair, I can subtly survey the surrounding portion of my neighborhood. Often the young neighbor kids are in their backyard, excitedly playing on the new tree fort their father built for them or earning their afternoon bath by driving their dump trucks through the dirt. There is also ample opportunities to befriend a passing lizard, and occasionally, even a slimy salamander. Further in the distance, a hawk might be surveying the ground from his nest in the tall trees across the street.  I strain to get a clear view, but my gaze is distracted by a small yellow butterfly dancing through the air toward a flower pot in the neighboring yard.

From my small compartment I commonly call my back porch, the activity of the world – or more specifically, my neighborhood – is opened up to me. I am so thankful to have a place where I can unwind after a stressful day and simply take in the ever changing scene that surrounds me.

 

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