Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I think I found a magic park...

...maybe.

It's at the end of my new street.

It's nothing special to look at.


Covered playground, half-basketball court, walking path and lots of dead grass for the winter.

Someone thoughtfully planted trees to shade several metal benches.

The cement path through the length of the park slopes a bit which makes it perfect for Grandlittles on scooters and skates.

There are hundreds of parks almost EXACTLY like this one (possibly without the trees for shade) but the appearance of the park isn't really what makes it magic.

It's the people.

It makes them nice.

And friendly.

This is the 5th neighborhood I've lived in here in Arizona.

People rarely talk to you at the parks.

Sure, they nod, or even say things like, "Wow!  That's a pretty dog!", but they don't really, really talk to you.

Since we've moved in several weeks ago I've had FIVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND COUPLES talk to me at the park.

There was a man and his wife from India who were visiting their grandchildren.   We had a lively conversation about India and travel.

There was a man walking a poodle who stopped to talk and ended up spending 20 minutes discussing the merits of poodles versus other dogs.


Others said, 'Are you new to the neighborhood?   Oh, you'll love it here!" and then proceeded to talk about restaurants and stores in the surrounding area.

And this past Saturday there was a lovely angel of a woman who saw Mr. Jenny and I struggling trying to figure out our new i-phone (Yes!   We finally came kicking and screaming into the world of touch pads and wifi!).

She just walked over to where we were sitting on a bench trying to make it work and said, "Can I help you with that?"

And then she did.

For at least 45 minutes.

While her two boys and our youngest Grandlittle and new neighbor girl friend played frisbee and scootered, she patiently showed us how to get and send e-mail, close programs, do a photo stream.


She didn't laugh at us when the pictures didn't turn out because a) we didn't have the case on right and b) we didn't take the protective plastic off the camera lense.

Whipping the case off and removing the plastic she reassured us, "You will love this...it just takes a little time!"

She's probably right.

We probably WILL love it once we get it all figured out.

In the meantime, we'll simple love our magic park.

And the neat people we are meeting in it!

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26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you've found such a friendly neighborhood!

Terra said...

You found a lovely park filled with friendly folks, sort of a mini-paradise on earth. What a treat.

"Alone again.... naturally!" said...

Oh, that's lovely! It is rare indeed to find a community that is so willing to put themselves out there. So happy that you have found that for yourselves! Cathy

Theresa said...

How wonderful! I love it when people are nice:) I hope you will enjoy your new home! HUGS to you dear friend!

Eden House News and views said...

I love it when people make an efort. I mean for you and I it comes naturally , well me it does I talk to anyone anywhere, my kids hate it . lol
You sound much happier this week
God Bless

GardenOfDaisies said...

A magic park, indeed! I love nice people. :-)

myletterstoemily said...

that does sound like a magic park!
so happy for you to live nearby.

Betty said...

Is it a newer neighborhood? I've always found people more friendly when the neighborhood is new. Then as the neighborhood ages and everyone settles in the next wave of people don't get the same welcome.

I joined the i-phone world recently and there is definitely a learning curve. I'll be learning for a long time to come.

Peg said...

Iphones are wonderful but they do so much that it's hard to grasp it all at once. I got my husband a book called "Ipads for Dummies... for Seniors" which is supposed to be for less technical people (ie seniors). Your post made me laugh... I've been there too! But isn't it wonderful to have friendly neighbors!!!

Holly said...

It sounds like you've come "home"! What a glorious feeling to be noticed, cared about, seen.
sounds like you'll be visiting that park quite a bit!!

Janie Junebug said...

I'm so happy for you.

Love,
Janie

Jeanie said...

I would guess that your friendliness has something to do with how people are being friendly to you....or maybe it really is magic. Enjoy your new neighborhood.

Gail said...

I wish the world was filled with magic parks.

Jo said...

oh my gosh you are blessed! how lucky to find such a magical place at the end of your street ... Enjoy!!!

Amy said...

I wish I could meet up with you in your magic park! So glad to hear you are meeting some friendly folks in your new neighborhood.

Unknown said...

What wonderful people you met!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh Jenny I am so glad you moved to a new home and found a friendly park! It's just what you need now! Hugs, Linda

pasqueflower said...

What a happy post! I hope you and the grandlittles continue to meet new friends in the magic park.

Naperville Now said...

so glad that you are feeling the connections. (and you will adore the iphone camera. so many grands, so little time.)

GranthamLynn said...

Oh so glad you found a friendly
'magical' park. That poodle is so cool. And aren't you happy to have someone help you with your phone. Dawng if I had only none all I had to do was go to a partk. LOL. Well I'll see you tomorrow. Oh it is the letter "O".
Have a good day,
Sherry

H said...

Awesome! All parks should be this way!!!

Anonymous said...

So glad you've found a place that feels so comfy and good!

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a wonderful neighbourhood. Enjoy.

Pat Tillett said...

The park is nice, the fact that you've found some great new people is even better...

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is so heartwarming! Your new neighbors and park- mates are lucky to have you in their lives now. ;)
We only lived in AZ for a short time {Glendale} be we loved the friendliness of everyone!
You will love your iPhone, but be patient, that thing is smarter than humans.

Amy said...

How wonderful for you to have such a welcoming neighborhood! I am so happy for you! What luck and blessing you have for moving into such a wonderful area. I hope you love it as much as you did your old farm house.