My Oceanview Neighborhood

 My neighborhood has been around for awhile.Many of the houses are near to 100 years old with many styles of architecture. This house my family lives in was originally built near the turn of the 20th century. It has been extensively remodeled over the years. Sometimes well crafted, often not. Shari surmises this place was once servant quarters to the big house behind us. There is also an old shed on the property that may have been a carriage house at one time. There are not many homes for sale in my neighborhood. One that I have my eye on is close but not quite close enough.

  My neighbors are almost all retired Navy, except for the active duty sailors living across the street and next door. American Flags are displayed proudly by most everybody around the block. I suppose we are patriotic. All of us have at one time given an oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States and the leaders elected as well as appointed that head our government. Many of us still take that oath seriously but there is diagreement on what that means. Many of us also vote in every election, local or national. Judging by the signs around my neighborhood most of my neighbors are democrats, at least in this election cycle.

  Health care is an issue for most of my neighbors. We are not getting younger and many of us have health concerns. Dean, the Retired Senior Chief living to the left of me has leukemia and emphysema. Paul an active duty sailor has heart issues. He is being allowed to stay active duty until he retires early next year. Retired and active duty service members have a health care plan. One step up from nothing as my GP says, But it's there. Many of my neigbors are also on medicare. We have an interest in how the health care system works (or doesn't work) in this country. We want reforms to see costs drop for those of us on fixed incomes, but many would like to see more folks insured. We can be compassionate, though many of us see health care as a entitlement given when we enlisted.

  Many of my neighbors enjoy tending to their yards and working outside. Some of the yards are masterpieces in vegetation, constantly in bloom with many flowers I don't recognize. Dean's wife Polly, is my main source of information about the birds and plants in my neighborhood. The cardinals in the early spring are my favorites they seem to prefer the azaleas. They like Polly's yard. I hear their chirps often. I'm also getting better at spotting them in the trees. There is a protected area on the other side of the street behind the homes. A small creek runs there, a home for birds and wildlife. A large raccoon will occasionally come out of the area and take up residence in the huge oaks at the front of my house. The first time I saw it scale the oak hand over hand I couldn't figure what it was. It drives Sam nuts when its out and about.

                                                                                                            Looking East at Raccoon Oak

My neighborhood can be very quiet. It can also be very noisy. Out my window now I hear a helicopter leaving the base. I hear an ambulance and a firetruck. They often use my street as a crossover to another main street to the east. To the west is the NAS and the interstate. Aircraft will fly their take offs and landing patterns right over our house. I almost broke my bedroom window one night when we first moved in. A very low plane plane scared me out of a dream. I tried to punch through my window to see what was going on.

  I like my neighborhood. I have never felt this comfortable anywere else. I sometimes hang out on Dean and Polly's porch sipping Polly's suntea, she is a gracious host. There is always good conversation. Dean loves to reminisce about his days in the navy. Polly loves sports and often has two or more TV's going to watch the games as she moves from room to room. Paul will come over to Dean's porch on many evenings. He keeps us retirees abreast of the changes in the navy. My daughter Journey is active duty. This tickles my neighbors. They come from a time when women weren't common on active duty. I come from a time when they weren't common on sea duty. Now both are common.

  Now that its starting to cool we do this less often. I miss Polly's suntea. its always better than mine.