In the Yard

My l yard is 76'x100' in block 1 lot 12 of the city. At one time, where my 1400 sqf house was built, once stood the Orange Inn.  Originally a lake front cracker shack of a fish camp, it  was expanded into an upscale fish camp and dining hall annex. I don't own the whole of the original land, only a remnant of days of yore when when it also was surrounded by orange groves.  this old section of town rests between two lakes, essentially rendering this place as an elevated area of Florida swampland.

My yard has many stories to be told of the goings on during the past three or four centuries. Most of the stories will go untold, but I'd like to share with you some goings on these days in my yard.

Before I built my home here, I imagined conquistadors traveling through her on their way to discovering the original fountain of youth down the road a piece. There are no traces of such activity, only an occasional arrow head, empty bottle, or plate shard from the inn.

On my small remnant of the Orange Inn, I have planted key lime, lime, fig, guava, satsuma orange, red grapefruit, pomelo, avocado, banana, blueberry, a juice orange with three types of oranges on it, kumquat, rosemary, gardenia, night jasmine, jasmine, plumbago, milkweed, forsythia, rose, wisteria, azalea, poinsettia, begonia, bougainvillea, eucalyptus, and some types of aloe and palm. In addition there are other assorted other wild flowers, ferns, and some bushes and flowers which began in pots as gifts.

Dick plants a 15'x25' garden a couple three times a year along with  many varieties of peppers and tomatoes in pots. And there's still plenty of lawn space.

Wild life also comes calling - racoons, possums, snakes, squirrels, ants, bees, mosquitoes, love bugs, wasps, spiders and several types of butterflies.  But, what has been the most mesmerizing is watching birds nest in the fruit trees.  Presently building nests are blue jays and cardinals. We are waiting for the hummingbirds to return. Lately, there seems to be trees full of birds - especially robins and starlings -- there one day and gone the next. The usual annual parade of peacocks and sand cranes haven't been around for awhile. Gulls and grey heron hang around at the lake's edge. I also am beginning to realize that we haven't seen a red fox or panther for several years. Alligators, for the  most part stay in the lake.

Everyone seems to be building fences these days, but the animals don't seem to know what fences are for, except to rest on occasionally. What a great gift to be watching plants grow and bloom and die, too, and observing birds and animals going about their business of inhabiting in a safe haven.

It is remarkable to reflect that this small space, surrounded by ongoing development, increased vehicle traffic, and noisy boats and motorcycles and aging air conditioners, that nature is sustainable.

But it is.  Such a wonderful metaphor for a thriving community! so much yet to learn from nature! Tell me about your environment. I'd love to have such an image to hold dear.