If You Can Google It, It Must Be So

My house can now be seen on the satellite images on google maps. We’re a relatively new neighborhood so this hasn’t always been the case. I’m not sure why this makes me so happy. There is something satisfying about seeing our little neighborhood and our little house with Petunia’s playset out back, and our tin-roofed front porch where we like to watch the world go by.

We live in a neighborhood that is somewhat unique these days—we actually know all our neighbors. It’s pretty cool that when Petunia puts on an especially fetching princess ensemble, she wants to run across the street or next door to show it off.

I’ve always thought of myself as more of a back porch girl, who likes to be outside but wants to enjoy it in solitude, but the truth is I’m a front porch girl.

I love knowing what’s going on in the neighborhood—seeing Tory check the mail, Julie walk to work, Wes and Amy work on their latest landscaping project, or Liz and Justin take Finn for a walk in Petunia’s hand-me-down stroller, and having a chance to check in with folks and see how they’re doing.

We’ve formed a real community in our brief time together—forged by shoveling snow, building snow men, playing charades, and breaking bread together.

A few days ago we met at a neighbor’s house and planned a community garden that we’ll be starting soon.  Amp and I have only ever tread lightly when it comes to gardening, so our skills are very limited. Thankfully there are others to lead us who have much more knowledge in this area.  I can’t wait till Petunia can break out her little rake and hoe and work side by side with our neighbors. It will be a very tangible example of yet another way that we get to reap the rewards of investing in our little community.