There is such a place as heaven on earth...

Each October, as fall comes to our little corner of the world, I am unfailingly and completely overwhelmed with a feeling of enormous gratitude.  Of all the many things that I have to be grateful for, the place that we call home is at the top of the list.  A little eight block by eight block space a quick walk from downtown Greensboro is home not just to our family, but to a multitude of hundred-year-old oak trees, dozens and dozens of artist of all varieties, and more than just a little touch of magic.

The divine front porch of the Lulugroove studio

I'll never forget our first October in this home--one chilly Sunday morning we sat on the deck with friends, the autumn maples on fire around us, sipping our coffee.  Out of nowhere, a saxaphone began to play-- "what a friend we have in Jesus..."  

"There's magic here" our friend said that day,  and on so many days since I've found myself repeating those words, head nodding in agreement..

  

So many of the houses in the neighborhood, in fact,  house artists--painters, photographers, sculptors, dancers, writers, musicians--that nearly the entire neighborhood opens its doors each October for Art and Sole-- art you can walk to.   The sidewalks are packed with folks strolling from house to house and impromptu concerts are held on porches up and down the streets.

Westerwood-- our 'hood-- feels special on even the most ordinary of days.  This past Saturday, as we strolled and visited and absorbed all the goodness, I felt myself smiling a huge, sappy, unquenchable smile. 

It all just seemed so wonderfully good.

 Polecat Creek's Lauralyn Dossett making front porch music  

So very, very good.

More on our new art to come!