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Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Home is all about the neighbors.


This small incline at the top of the picture brings me joy every time I see it. Notice the houses. You can't really see them. Mine is the fourth on the left, at the stone column marker. If I hadn't told you you couldn't even guess that houses hide behind those trees.

Most are vacation cottages, occupied for a few weeks every summer or holiday. Out of the eight that would be in this pictures if trees didn't hide them, only three are occupied year round.
Ours is one of them.


This is the view you'd get if you walked up from the street to my residence, a long gravel road and a concrete pad in front of the house. We have houses on the side of house that are barely visible; and one straight ahead at the other side of the street, usually unoccupied all year long, surrounded by trees and water. My cat has this view early in the morning, when I open a window and let her out. She jumps out and down to the pavers and on to the gravel until she finds a smell she likes.



She doesn't like meandering toward the lake on her own; she waits for me to go down toward the lake garden before she attempts to get close. Then, she sits and waits quietly until I retreat back to the house. She scurries fast and furious to get into the front door before I close it.


When I walk out my driveway for the short walk toward the beach, my cat stays behind. She has no idea what fun I have on the white sand.
She and I enjoy the solitude this place provides, rain or shine, though deer, herons and beavers may think we are overcrowded.

15 comments:

Brian Miller said...

would be so cool to be near the beach like that....and i like all the green around you...i am at the base of a mountain...plenty of houses around...we have made some good friends of the neighbors...well all but one...they dont talk to anyone...smiles.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Oh, Rosaria, it sounds so idyllic! What a perfect retirement haven!

There is something so satisfying about being a full-timer in a vacation spot. In my community, about the half the residents are only in their homes 3-6 months a year and flee north for the summer -- which a lot of us consider the best time of all here in Arizona with no crowds and lots of swimming.

But your area of paradise is so perfect! I'm so happy for you that you've found such a wonderful place.

Perpetua said...

Wow, Rosaria, you live in the most beautiful surroundings, with peace and solitude and yet some neighbours not too far away. Most people would call that the perfect combination.

the walking man said...

It is a lovely well deserved spot of rest and comfort. Be well in it all the days of your life Rosaria.

The Broad said...

The Oregon coastline is exceptionally beautiful and seeing it with my husband was one of our favourite travel experiences. Over the next week or so my youngest son and his girlfriend will be seeing it for the first time and we are so looking forward to hearing all about it.

erin said...

i think this is a very good way to be, rosaria. (love the bold shadow in your photograph:)))

xo
erin

Helen said...

Has to be one the most idyllic places in our beautiful State! I loved taking this morning walk with you.

rjerdee said...

Lovin' your location!

Amanda Summer said...

What a beautiful place to live, surrounded by such majestic trees. I also have a love of privacy and am grateful for the natural barrier of pines, pears and hornbeams that encircle our house.

dianefaith said...

It's beautiful, and it's peaceful. I'm glad for you that you have such a sanctuary. How are your raised beds doing this year?

yaya said...

We have the most private spot on our road with all the pine trees..however that beach is really the beauty! I envy that! I loved our visit to Oregon last year and hopefully will make another stop soon! Enjoy your summer neighbors and your peace!

Hilary said...

You have beautiful surroundings and are lucky to have the place sort of to yourself though much of the seasons. I have that same luck here.

hyperCRYPTICal said...

What a lovely place to live and how wonderful that you are so near the sea.
I live in a coastal town - but quite inland - so sadly, I rarely visit the shore itself. (No car and too many commitments.)
Hope the sun is shining for you today - as it is here.
Kind regards
Anna :o]

ellen abbott said...

such a beautiful place, not completely isolated but no one butt up against you either.

Marty said...

Frost knew his stuff: "Good fences make good neighbors", or in this case, trees and hedges.
I love the thought of your sidekick on the trip down to your lake.
When we had a lake house and brought the cats one year, I'll never forget the shock and awe of one of them on her first sight of the water.