Hidden Passages

My home is located in an older inner city neighborhood of Portland, Oregon

and yet when you see these pictures you will think I am in a country village.

The picture just below is where I have begun my walks lately.

At one point it narrows behind the fences of neighbors,

but still I travel through.

It is fascinating to discover the back side of homes and gardens.

I even discovered a ceramic studio, but when I carried my camera yesterday

she was closed. I will capture her at work another day for you.

Behind a church sits a beautiful place to pause.

A flower escaping through the fence.

My favorite "I spy" moment is this secret garden,

the entrance from the back to several sweet apartments.

I could see myself living there.

Much of the alleys look like this with garages and fences,

turns in the road.

As I came out to the street there was a pony parked along the curb of the street.

Many years ago when people still used horses there were iron rings put in the concrete.

Look closely and you will see it.

People have since attached little ponies to the rings just for smiles.

This one I found just yesterday as I walked.

And all along the way there were surprise flowers tucked here and there.

Secret passages and the delights of discoveries makes my child heart happy.

As a child I would have spent hours walking these passages,

searching for surprises and delights.

I know there are those that walk on the passage alley behind our house

just because they love seeing our gardenhouse and flowers.

The view from our alley into the gardenhouse.

Oh I spy my "live-in gardener" there.

Happy weekend, dear friends!

Hope you can get out to do your own discoveries.