City Streets and The Things That Make Me Smile in America

And what the Scandinavian in me could care less for

Which of the three homes would you rather have?

Personally, I’d choose the smallest one. Not very surprising if you know me or have been reading my minimalist-inspired content. The house in the middle has such character. The windows, the door, the brick, it all works really well together. I’m also a sucker for white picket fences (the suburban in me coming to life, perhaps?).

I could care less for the amount of square footage. A smaller space is less to clean and most likely also a smaller mortgage. I like the tiny house with a decent yard, squeezed in-between two larger, also characteristic homes.

Last week, I decided to stroll the streets of the downtown area in the county where I live. The walk and the observations I made, had me reflect on life and the things that make me smile these days.

There’s still authenticity

There’s a ton of plastic, here in the suburbs.

The facade of the house we live in, even. It’s some sort of plastic material.

I asked my friend who recently visited from Norway what she thought of the homes in our area. She said she loved them, and especially how well people decorate their front porches and entrances.

I then told her the facade of many of the newer homes is actually made of a plastic material, meant to look like wood. She responded that simply knowing that makes the homes just a little less adorable.

The snobby, wood-loving Scandinavian in me agrees. It feels just a little off when you know something is not what it looks like.

The homes downtown are authentic.

They’re well-kept and real. Brick by brick. They’re not meant to look like something they’re not. Many of the homes are old and probably in need of work and maintenance more than new homes, but they’re authentic and raw.

Book access and community

The first time I ever saw a little free library was in New York City, early 2018. I couldn’t believe how cute the tiny, tiny houses filled with books were. They seemed to be popping up anywhere and everywhere. In parks, along streets, and in residential neighborhoods.

All with the motto:

“Take a book, share a book.”

Books being challenged have come up quite frequently this fall for my journalism-related work. As I walked around downtown, I noticed this little free library, and it made me reflect on the joy of reading.

These little libraries are all about boosting community and book access.

The more books in or near the home, the more likely a child will learn and love to read. Two out of three kids living in poverty have no books to call their own. These little libraries, often to be found along sidewalks and in community parks, are meant to provide books for those who can’t afford to purchase them.

This makes me smile, big.

There’s still hope; book by book.

On a national, as well as on a local level, there is a lot of noise around books. The joy of reading, the beauty of literature and written masterpieces should be celebrated rather than get thrown into a political battle.

Books are lovely.

Diversity and fantastic eats

The downtown area in my county has been praised as a diverse culinary food scene. It seems to be improving every single month, with new places popping up — foods representing all corners of the world.

Currently, the most popular restaurant (by far) in our county is a casual Trinidadian kitchen. The dishes they serve are out of this world.

I love seeing diversity, and I love trying foods that are not burgers and fries. Seeing how successful these restaurants are, many of them owned and operated by refugees, makes me think there’s still hope in this world.

Food in general makes me smile because I love to eat.

More so, a bit deeper than the food itself, is the joy of seeing small, independent businesses succeed.

There’s also this Danish food vendor at the local farmer’s market in the heart of the city. She’s making all those delicious open-faced sandwiches the Danes are known for. Every time I’ve walked past the stand or ordered from her, her American husband is there, helping out. Seeing a couple be there for each other, supporting each other’s dreams, is refreshing.

And yes, that makes me smile, too.

There is plenty of negative news and bad stuff happening out there. Doesn’t hurt to celebrate the good now and then. There’s room for all.