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Today was another springlike day.   More melting and the remnants of a rainy day earlier in the week means the city is pretty muddy.  I headed over to a neighborhood along Armstrong Mill just inside of Man O’ War.  This area seems to have been built in the 1960’s, a little older than I expected this close to Man O’ War.  Mud aside, I thought this area felt comfortable.  It lacks the self-consciousness of newer neighborhoods and people feel comfortable doing unique things.  The outward expression of homes is more open, more honest.

You know, I like to highlight things I like about neighborhoods. On some level I feel like I’m on a quixotic quest to find aspects of neighborhoods that remind me of the places I knew as a kid. Thinking about those neighborhoods, there were subtle things my neighbors did to differentiate their homes and yards (or balconies).  These could be visual things: I remember a planter that struck me as “Nevada-shaped.”  Or tactile: a particular stucco wall that was rough to the touch but made up for that by allowing itself to be walked upon.  Or olfactory: juniper and honeysuckle were especially memorable.  Any of these things could serve as waypoints, or make things interesting along routine walks.

This neighborhood provided a similar experience. The mud smell and the juniper contributed to a earthy spring experience that intensified at one corner. The fence on Beaufort painted in flag colors anchored a street that was more expressive that most. Subtle things can play this role as well, especially to the frequent passer-by. This neighborhood has plenty that might qualify for this as well including a peculiar mailbox and someone’s project car.