When the warmer weather finally hit after a winter that refused to loosen its grip, many people headed outside for some fresh air and sunshine as soon as possible. On that first glorious day, which conveniently fell on a weekend, we saw more neighbors than we had seen in months. During our daily walk, we must have greeted at least 10 of them.
In addition to brief catch-ups and friendly conversations, our neighbors often provide inspiration for me to be more productive in and around my own home, where recent projects seem to have stalled along with my motivation. Between endless repairs and other distractions that need our attention, my organizing efforts and seasonal tweaks have been put on the back burner for now.
So, when I see our neighbors working on their gardens and their cars and garages, I feel I should try to accomplish some task, no matter how small.
On many perfect-weather days, my husband and I often see some of our favorite neighbors on their front porch, where they gather at the end of the workday. The quaint outdoor space sets a seasonal tone with outdoor seating and colorful decor.
While a neighbor we often see in passing was washing his car one day, another was cleaning out his garage that already looked like you could eat off the floor. He was impressed with my determination to walk as much as the weather permits and I was equally impressed with his efforts.
One lesson I never seem to learn is that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. When I took a second walk later that day — as I sometimes break them up into shorter stints — I saw my neighbor was still cleaning his garage. Naturally, my assumption was that he never stopped.
When I told him I wanted to be more productive, he confessed that he had taken a break and a nap since I saw him that morning. Those are two pursuits I can definitely stand behind.
Along the way, I have also seen more substantial home improvement projects, like some new decks that are under construction.
Other, less welcome sights that arrived with the warmer weather include the raccoons my husband spotted for the first time right behind our condo. After I saw them head straight for the pond, I did some research and learned they can swim. The wild turkeys that first appeared during the pandemic also made a brief return to our neighborhood. These creatures are so tall that they could pass for small children from a distance. They can also be rather intimidating.
As I continue to see the progress our neighbors have made with their seasonal projects, I appreciate the many highlights we capture during our walks.
While our neighbors often provide inspiration, they can also help with motivation. With so many creative outdoor spaces, I feel the time has come to refresh my own home and garden. We could definitely benefit from some fresh mulch and new solar lights, which sounds like a simple and sensible place to start.
Jeanine Matlow is a Metro Detroit interior decorator turned freelance writer specializing in stories about interior design. You can reach her at jeaninematlow@earthlink.net.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: How neighbors’ outdoor projects can inspire your own
Reporting by Jeanine Matlow, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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