Perspective is everything when it comes to a buying a home.
We said we wanted a house with trees // but there was only one on our lot
When we walked in, it was the window view out the back that sold us
A woods filled with trees reaching for the sky joined our barren lot
Since then, much was added to the ever changing seen.
Two wild willows, now thirty feet tall, shade our Shangri-La
There’s a lilac and a crape myrtle, and a garden lush and green
The bird feeder entertains me all day long it seems
and not just the birds, but squirrels and chipmunks too
So when I look out the window my heart thrills with the view
Now in this summer heat, I’ll go back to my reclining chair
Drink some ice tea, prop up my feet, and enjoy the view from there!
The view of our back yard in February 2011 when we saw it for the first time. We knew it had potential to become something more than this!!
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse, Peter asked to to take a photo from our window and then write a poem about it. When I look at the early photos of our back yard, and then at the ones I took this evening, It is amazing how much the view changed. Vision and perspective change everything.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
It doesn’t even look like the same place! It looks very lush and cared for. Those chairs under the trees look like a perfect place to sit and have a conversation or just enjoy the view together in silence.
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I did a lot of work over the years and we love it! It really is quite different!
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Thanks Lisa!
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You’re welcome.
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You obviously had vision back in 2011! You have indeed transformed it into a Shangra La.
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Thank you Liz!! We do love it! I thought the yard was small back then, but when I started working on it I was glad it wasn’t any larger!
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All that hard work has transformed the place. Like you say “perspective is everything…” – and clearly your vision and commitment. Thanks for sharing this wonderful view.
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It was an enjoyable prompt to write Peter, Thank you for your kind words.
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You took an empty canvas and created a beautiful art in vivid beautiful colours. Truely a Shangri La!
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Thank you so much! I like that.. A living art piece!
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You have created a Shangri La!! ❤ (Is that how it's spelled?) … You know what I mean… beautiful, unreal views!
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Thank you Jan! Yes that is the way I spell it. It is a wonderful view in the summertime.
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Thanks Jan! You are right the spelling should be Shangri-La! Thanks, I fixed it!
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Such a beautiful poem; very eloquently written, and it seems that you got your wish! I admit my jaw dropped when looking at the before and after pictures of the outdoor view. They look so different! That’s amazing how far it came from being barren to so full of life and nature. This is an excellent piece that you’ve penned here. ❤ I love it!
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Thanks Lucy, you are very generous with your praises. It really has come a long way from that first visit. We love it! And the trees are still there for now!
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Thank you so much!
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It will be good to think how your life has grown and changed with the trees.
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Yes, When I moved in I had done very little writing. This blog only started four years ago. Interesting thoughts. Thanks Reena!
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Oh how I envy your view 🙂
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Thank you! It is one of a kind!
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Perfect view !
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Thank you! The trees really make it!
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What a transformation!
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Thank you Jane. It is a great view these days!
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Good decision. It was the garden that sold us our house, too.
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The vision often goes far beyond the moment! We are very happy with our choice. Thanks for your comment! You have a gorgeous garden as well!
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🙂
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Gorgeous garden ..in pic one
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Thank you so much! it is doing very well this summer. We have had more rain that usual!
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Oh Dwight you have totally transformed this into a nature wonderland … what a view to soak up each and every day!
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Thank you Kate. It really is a wonderful view in mid summer and again in the fall as the leaves turn yellow and orange! We love it very much.
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I can see why!
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It is hard to believe we live in a neighborhood of six hundred houses!!
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that is hard to imagine and that back outlook takes the edge off that!
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Yes,, we kind of live in our own little world in the back and like every other neighbor in the front. Sort of like Jeckle and Hyde LOL!
1
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lol good to have a foot in both worlds so to speak 🙂
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:>) yes
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Lovely poems and ofcourse the view from your window is very picturesque. You are lucky to enjoy the bounties of nature, sa our it. From my window I can only see the sands of vast Arabian desert, few inhabitant like sand lizard 🦎 and succulent shrubs survive the harshness of the land. There is an oasis some miles away, will go there for some relief 🙂
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Thank you so much for sharing, Tanya! What a different view you have for sure! That is when the internal view becomes even more significant! Do you ever get to visit other parts of the world?
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Hi Dwight yes I do travel a lot.In fact, I stayed in Connecticut for five years, now in Dubai due to professional commitments. I am raised in North India, studied in England, worked in Dubai married in America 🙂
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Wow that is a quite a chain of experiences. How very nice! Love it!
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Yes it’s interesting allow you to witness different cultures and history also food( I love trying new cuisines) 👌
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That is wonderful!
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There is so much going on in your back garden, Dwight, lots of colour, different shapes, and perspectives! I would love to live in or by some woods. You’re another fan of bird feeders, too. You’ve performed garden magic on that plot!
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Thank you so much Kim! It has take nine years to get to this point. It seems to change some each summer, but we love it. It is even more than I had hoped for when we moved in.
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Love the before and after photos Dwight. The garden bears the fruits and trees of your hard work and dedication, and vision of what it could be. Love the bird feeders too – you got a show there everyday.
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Thank you Grace! Yes every day is an interesting view of little visitors just outside my window. Looking forward to cooler weather!
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What a delightfully green and restful place to live.
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Thank you! We love it!
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I hope my view will be as nice as yours…when we finish the garden. 🙂
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Seems everything worth having takes time!
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It sure does. 🙂
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Amazing transformation. Our backyard looked liked like a desert when we moved in, but when you can see potential you can do some awesome stuff. It’s so tranquil and serene looking now. 😀
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Thank you Kim. It really is quite a change, But I enjoyed the challenge of turning it into a garden spot! The birds and butterflies make it all worthwhile!
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Smart to understand the importance of the view when looking at homes. I was very inward directed when I was buying my own house 5 years ago, and didn’t think about the lack of good views.
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It depends on ones interests. I like outdoors and gardening so that drew me in!
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Loved everything . Nice poem 👍 and amazing photos 👍🤩
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Thank you so much!
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Superb, Dwight. Love the alcove of trees shielding to chairs… a perfect place to ponder and proffer poetry. Glad your Shangra La found its shelter.
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Thank you very much. That is our Shangri La,
It is wonderful to sit and look into the woods across the way. I go out in the morning now. Too hot in the afternoon.
Dwight
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What a difference you have made in transforming the view! I did the same in my own little outdoor space and delight in the change 🙂
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You have indeed turned it into your own private ShangriLa. Put your feet up and enjoy that view! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, I’ll do just that!
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OHMYGOSH! Look what your hard work, tender loving care, and vision became…a ShangriLa, for sure!!! 🙂 How wonderful, Dwight! Your window frames a place of peace, joy, and renewal! Your amazing poem captures it all! 🙂
I would sit out there all the time, and never get anything else done! 😉 HA!
HUGS to you and your family!!!
🙂
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Thank you for your kind response! It helps to be retired! We do enjoy sitting out there very much. Thanks… and the same to you!
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What a wonderful world you have created. This reminds me of the importance of seeing the potential in everything–especially ourselves!
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Yes, you are exactly right! Seeing potential in others releases them to become all they can be! Thank you for your kind comment!
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A sublime view! House prices can greatly influenced by a great view
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Yes, the old view helped us out greatly! If they could see it now!! :>) Thanks Vivian
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😊
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Wow! Fantastic yard and view. A beautiful transformation.
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Thank you so much for your kind comment!
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Woah! you really put work in that backyard. It shows!! Loved the poem too, the subtle rhymes and the description of your back yard, I’d say it’s a snapshot heaven! Bravo.. Dwight 🙂
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Thank you Jay! I am very happy with the way it turned out! I appreciate your kind comments!
Dwight
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You’re most welcome 🙂
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You gave the empty barren the love and care it deserved. And now in return it’s giving you the happiness by blooming to it’s fullest. So beautiful 🌻💛
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Thank you. Yes it is very satisfying to see!
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It’s a beautiful sight…you’ve done well. A good place to be if you have to isolate. (K)
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Yes, I don’t know how people living in an apartment or a high-rise make it in these isolated days.
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Haha that would be me. I take long walks in the park. I actually like watching the city outside my window too. People are always interesting.
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Yes they are…
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Well done, both poem and garden. When growing turns to taming vegetation. Thanks for sharing the view.
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You are most welcome and thank you for your kind comments.
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Cheers.
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The view is terrific! The story of its making–the arranging and the growing of what’s outside–is both impressive and endearing. Vicariously, I enjoy the story and the pleasure of it all.
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Thank you so much! I am glad you could feel the joy of seeing this change that came about over the last nine years!
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What an amazing transition! You truly turned a mess into a Shangri-La. It’s obvious there was a lot of hard work and planning to make this change become reality. Thank you for following Eugi’s Causerie II.
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Thank you Eugi! It has taken awhile , but it is a beautiful spot now!.
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And worth it!
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Yes, and delicious!!
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