Up early. Still jet-lagged. The surprise of seeing the sun washing the sky with brilliant colors in the east, and the brightest full moon still hanging in the western sky beyond the back garden oaks, was beautiful. Our aging small house is down in a bit of a dip, tucked into land once a farm, the remaining trees are massive. There are no distant views, no hold your breath scenery, just ancient trees . . . . . and more houses dating back to the years when large houses were few and far between. Beyond them, winding streets and cul-de-sacs lead to Midtown, Raleigh's expansion of city living with almost skyscraper high office and apartment buildings, upmarket shops and restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, and a few small green areas tucked in here and there thankfully. A manmade lake is in the future plan.
Meanwhile, we have our old neighborhood watering hole, Eastgate Park. Tennis courts, playground, community building, walking trail, a few picnic tables, a large open field for games, and the best feature, Cooper's Pond. A memorial plaque tells a bit about the pond. established in 1915 by J. Cooper Young, who lived there until 1966. The city of Raleigh purchased it in 1972 to turn into the park so that the "simple beauty of the park land and water would remain for the pleasure of all of its citizens." Home to Canada geese, mallard ducks, and some very old, large turtles, the pond remains peaceful and is now very colorful dressed in Autumn foliage (above). Nature is busy with paints and brushes and the coming cooler weather here will soon bring down the leaves.
Yesterday, walking around the neighborhood on a beautiful Autumn day around noon, I was grateful that some things don't change. In this rush forward to take down the old and change the landscape with little consideration for what has stood for years, it's still our much loved neighborhood. It needs to remain part of history and continue to bring small moments that lift the soul and bring joy to this sometimes difficult life.
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What a lovely photo!
ReplyDeleteThank you Barbara x
DeleteSo it is welcome home to you Mary after your spell in what I am sure was your very wet homeland. Thank you for your birthday wishes - how nice to live near such a beautiful tree surrounded lake - with some lovely colours in those trees.
ReplyDeletePat, it wasn't too wet in Devon - most of the rain seems to be coming to the southwest this week. It did cool off though the second week of my visit and I bought a coat, haha!!!!!
DeleteMary this is lovely photo. I can just picture walking along side the pond and enjoying a beautiful autumn day. Take care and have a great week. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteSometimes just a small body of still water with some sunshine and trees is all that's required to make the perfect day. Thanks for stopping by Debbie.
DeleteWhat a lovely post, dear Mary - rather poetic in your description of the sky, the weather, the autumn colours.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the best time of year for walks and hikes? (I know I'll say that again in spring, when orchards, hedges and meadows are in bloom...)
You are such a great hiker Meike - I always love your stories. Hope the rains have let up over there by now.
DeleteCan the children swim there in summer?
ReplyDeleteSadly no swimming or boating permitted - it’s very small!
DeleteDear Mary, what a glorious pond! You do live in a pretty part of the world and how lovely to have this park as your local. And I do like your pumpkin with the gingko stencil in your header at the moment.
ReplyDeleteNow, a very happy, and mildly belated, birthday to you! I cannot believe you're 80, there must be some mistake? Your trip back home looked wonderful, catching up with beloved friends and family, and reliving old memories and reflecting upon the many trips and life choices will make for great future blog fodder. Will you look at another trip next year? You wouldn't by any chance be thinking of July, just to shake things up from your last visits? If so, we will have to meet up for tea and gossip as I'm going to be in London then :)
No mistake, I really am this age...........and some days feel it, haha!
DeleteI'd like to get back home again next year - will definitely let you know if it will be when you are there - what a fun meet up that would be Pip!
Your neighborhood does indeed sound beautiful. I love older houses like yours instead of cookie cutter houses in subdivisions. Enjoy your autumn walks...it snowed here yesterday and the grass and trees are still covered with snow today. Looks so strange to see my back yard covered in leaves with a layer of snow on top.
ReplyDeleteMel, I was amazed at that unbeleivable early snow at your house - but loved your photos!
DeleteWhen we lived in New Hampshire I recall a Thanksgiving snow one year and that was considered early!
Such beautiful colours and dark clear water. A gorgeous place to walk in autumn.
ReplyDelete........and you have so many beautiful places to walk by the water around your beautiful island Lorrie. You know me, I'll always be an island girl, as long as it's not tropical, I like the cool places best! Speaking of which - I need to go back in time and write more about those really cold ones I visited, the sub-Antarctic and Antarctica! I need more hours in a day that's for sure.
DeleteGlad you and T are safe at home again - that was some journey you accomplished. Brava/bravo xx
How lovely to have Cooper's Pond nearby. It is beautiful! The old neighborhoods must remain. I know we get sad in our old neighborhood when a house is torn down to build something new.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Mary!
ReplyDelete