I have turned our upstairs room into an office. This makes my husband happy since I’m live in clutter and he can’t tolerate it. I have never set out to be a person who clutters and I really don’t like it, but it seems I get busy with other things, and never get around to do anything about it. Besides, I know where everything is right now. What would happen if I organized everything? I would probably never find anything I need.
But to get to the point of this blog—there is a big window upstairs that faces the back yard. It is right at the top of the stairs. When I look out from my desk, I see the tops of trees and can watch as they change with the seasons. Right now, the tree right outside the window is a gorgeous rusty red. Often, I go to the window and look out when I run out of ideas for writing.
My husband has made a wonderland of the back yard, mainly with found treasures. He walks several miles a day and in his wanderings he finds people’s discards. He’s found several items of clothing that are like brand new. He brings them home, throws them in the washing machine and the dryer, then he wears them. He’s found enough winter hats and gloves that we had quite a stash to give to a group who was collecting warm winter things for kids in the city.
He also finds decorative items that he incorporates in the back yard landscape. Right now, there’s an old bench, graying from age, sitting out there and a big wooden disc painted sun yellow, its rays flowing out. He’s also brought home a bird bath and a sign that says “Welcome to our home.” I do hope anyone walking by with the intent of ripping us off doesn’t take that to heart.
He’s built a platform for the corn he feeds the squirrel family. He had to make it high enough that Annie can’t get to the squirrels while they eat. Mulan can reach the corn and since she will eat anything, she makes a feast of it, given the chance.
Some of the stuff he finds is pretty kitschy and I often tell him enough is enough, but it makes him happy to have that stuff in the yard and it gives me a good laugh. That is, as long as it’s in the back yard where no one else can see it. The day he brought home a blue and yellow balloon bouquet and put it by the front porch, I drew the line. I told him those balloons were probably intended to celebrate the birth of a baby boy and since we are both too old to be having babies, it looked pretty silly. Finally, when the neighbor crossed the street and, laughing, asked if we had some news, he agreed to get rid of the balloons.
Sometimes when our two dogs are out in the yard, I watch them play with each other. Our little dog, Annie, is a bundle of energy. Mulan, the collie, is older and moves pretty slowly, so her play isn’t too energetic. Still, it’s fun to watch Annie try to get Mulan involved in a jumping and running game. If Annie gets too bored with Mulan, however, she’ll go off in search of the squirrels who run up a tree and chatter, taunting her.
I’ve traveled a great deal in my life and I enjoyed every moment of it, but right now, I’m happy to look out the big window that allows me to see the ever-changing landscape in the back yard.
poetofacertainage 