December OOTS*-Looking For Merry

The sun is shining, the sky showing a clear blue, it is time. Time to grab the cameras, hop into the gas guzzler and buzz around our very small town in search of festive, or pretty or gardeney, or something to show off on *VP’S Out On The Streets series, December version. Would you like to go along? Buckle your seat belt, or the car keys will not even be turned. We are quite strict about that. The intent is to find the village, while that sounds so quaint, we are actually classified as a city, Christmas tree. It was found, but sadly the high winds had blown it down. But the county courthouse that had been refurbished last year with fresh paint and the gold trim repaired in the downtown square looks quite spiffy now.

Wreaths have been hung on the windows and doors. Some, if not all of the greenery contains white lights. The building is nice, but the sky is of a hue that has not been seen for many days, if not weeks. It steals the show, wouldn’t you agree?

Across the street from the courthouse, the brick paved sidewalk and elegant frontage of law offices is somberly festive. Solicitors line the courthouse square, this is a busy place, these halls of justice. Let us move on to other public places around town.

At the public library, there are few parking spots available and cars continue to pull into the entrance. There must be a meeting of some sort being held today. But across from the carpark a newly planted walkway is noticed. I don’t remember this being here before, but let’s explore. The benches look nice and there are trees staked on bermed and mulched planting beds. The remains of wildflowers are noticed next to the pavement, this appears to be well done and well thought out. What a nice pond too. Wait a minute.

This is no pond, this is a flood! Now it is understood why the schools were closed today. There have been heavy rains along with the high winds that blew down the communal Christmas tree. I hope these plantings will survive being immersed. The boulders will and it is hoped the benches are of a water resistant wood. Time to move on, someone is waiting for a parking spot and we are finished here. Pointing to my car, I let the driver know I am leaving so he can pull in.

Heading back to our neighborhood, the downtown area is very close to the Fairegarden, we traverse my most favorite street. This very narrow byway zigs and zags around mature oak trees with large older homes on huge lots with fine trees. Many of them like our dear departed red maple, Ferngully, sniff, RIP. The fact that the street goes out of its way to meander around the trees is what we think of as city planning with a nod to the environment. Whatever were the circumstances that allowed this, it is pondered. Did a tree lover hold ground with arms across the trunk while the paving machine belched black smoke in a dramatic standoff?

Closer to home now, we go up and down the dead end streets off the main residential thoroughfare. This is a fancy older neighborhood, old money. One of the reasons that we purchased our tiny modest dwelling was the proximity to these large estate type properties only a block or so away. There is no getting out of the car now, we are driving ever so slowly and drawing attention to ourselves. A car passes and gives us the narrowed eyebrow look. What is she doing taking photos of these houses? Casing the joint for a future robbery? I had better put the camera away and head home. There is a turnaround at the end of this street so we will avoid going into a driveway and setting off alarms as intruders. Don’t worry, it will be okay, and thanks for pulling back out of the way of the shot.

But wait! Where’s the camera? Look at that magnificent southern Magnolia! It is gigantic and perfectly shaped, allowed to spread to its intended stature and girth with no interference by lesser trees or structures to hamper the growth. An outbuilding is visible in the image to the right to provide some scale.

Beside the magnolia is a nicely landscaped driveway. I am not in the least bit envious of these large houses and even the acreage, but oh baby baby, look at those truckloads of leaf mulch. Neat as a pin, not scattered a bit, ready to be spread on the landscaping, professionally maintained, no doubt. Hands are itchy, breathing is quick, eyes dialated, but no, drive on. There is probably a security camera recording our license plate number right now. Za-zoom, pedal lightly depressed if not to the metal. Not to worry. You will be let off after a frisking, only an accessory to the crime. Did you get the name on that law office we snapped at the courthouse square?

Home sweet home. Where the camera can point and shoot freely, with no fear of arrest or wary looks. The large plastic ornaments were hung at the same height on the little dogwood because that is the highest we could reach without getting on the ladder. May they withstand the high winds with nary a crack or break. It seems to be clouding up again. Let’s go inside and chat, maybe do a little blogging. The wireless seems to be working now after The Financier spent a whole day fiddling with the new router. Would you like a warm beverage? Perhaps some tea and a biscuit?

Thanks for joining us in the traipsing about town. Do check out the badge on the sidebar of Veg Plotting for more Out On The Streets from around the world.

Frances