In Our Own Backyard

After living in this city for over 20 years, you would think that I had seen just about all there is to see here. Wrong. I’m the type of person who jumps in the car and drives a minimum of 20 minutes away from my home, to look for enjoyment. For some unknown reason, I’ve always been convinced that aside from play parks, there’s nothing fun to see near here.

There is! Five minutes away in fact. Who knew? Well, probably hundreds of people. After watching my son design and draw a Father’s Day card this morning, we took to the road. Five minutes later we were at our destination, or as I told him numerous times throughout the day, “This is home!”

The place is an old homestead from the 1800s. Although modern day technology and devices are convenient, I’ve always dreamed of living in the 1800s. I suppose my love for the olden’ days comes from the few years of living on a farm, as a child. That was the best life!

We didn’t come home from school to play on computers or game consoles. Instead we came home, saddled up our horses and went for a ride. We ran from snakes, picked wild grown berries (and ate them), and played under the big Mimosa trees nearby.

We crept through the ‘haunted house’ down the road and rode our bikes, until we heard our mother whistle for us to come home. Now that woman, had a whistle that could be heard for miles! She may still. That was our call to come home. No phones buzzing in our pockets. Just a whistle, a loud one. Those were the good ole’ days.

Back to today. It was fabulous. Old houses, barns, old machinery and rusted tools. Goats, chickens and horses. So much of what was there, reminded me of home.

Had it not been for my son, and responsibilities, and all that grown up stuff, I probably would’ve camped out in one of the old buildings. That is, until they either kicked me out or gave me a job. I spent a lot of time smiling over the pretend life I was playing out in my mind.

For a long time, while surely boring my son, I leaned on the stable doors and gazed at the horses inside. Breath after breath, I breathed in the smell of the horses and the hay that was piled on the side. I wish there was a way to bottle that smell up, as I would carry it with me everywhere. It would be an excellent stress reliever, because that smell brings me instant calmness, because it’s ‘home’ to me.

With a lot of internal strength, I was finally able to pull myself away, so we could head home. It was a great day full of sights, smells and day dreaming. Best of all, I had my favorite little man there to share the day with, my son.

Who knew that such fun places were practically in our own backyard? We know now, and we’ll be keeping an eye out for all the other fun places we’ve been missing out on.

Take a moment to look in your backyard. You might be surprised at the hidden jewels you find there.