"There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home."
- Dorothy from 'The Wizard of Oz'
The task for this writer’s journal is to summarize the spatial characteristics of a space with which you are familiar. I have chosen to analyze the special characteristic of my home.
My home is located down a long driveway on nearly three acres. The cul-de-sac at the end of the driveway leads to the garage, backyard, and barn. Bordering the driveway are two wooden sheds that house our bicycles, gardening tools, and summer/winter sports equipment. My younger brother uses the open space in front of the fence line for his RC car track which changes every year.
If you follow the walkway around the house, it will lead you from the garage to the front door. Bordering the concrete path are rose bushes and hedges. A wooden beam arch welcomes you to the front of the house. It is just up a few steps to the wooden front door, which always holds a festive wreath. The planter next to the front porch welcomes guests with trees, bushes, and flowers in spring. The crab apple tree alerts us to the changes in seasons. When it is blooming with beautiful pink flowers, you can be sure spring has finally arrived. By late summer, it is full of green leaves with small apples and then back through shades of purple before losing all of its leaves in fall, signaling winter is coming. The small front porch also houses a relaxing wood rocking chair and potted flowers. Families of birds continue to use the space above the porch lights as a home for nesting. Occasionally you will see a wandering moose in the winter months.
As you enter my house through the front door, a floral scent invades the air as you arrive in the foyer. Candles or air fresheners are constantly in use because five dogs easily create unwanted smells throughout the house. Upon entering, you are greeted by a room that my parents use to showcase any trophies, awards, etc. They are carefully placed on shelves and lit to showcase their admiration for their children's accomplishments. Just past is a staircase leading to the lower level, and straight ahead is the most frequently used room in the house, the living room. The living room is literally the center of the house; it is where my family spends most of our bonding time, holidays, and get-togethers. From the living room, you can choose to head in either direction. To the left will take you to a guest bathroom and a small hallway that leads into a bedroom, and to the right are the remaining rooms of the house. Walk around an island, and you will enter the kitchen. The kitchen is amazing because the large windows above the table give the most amazing views of the backyard. While eating dinner, you can watch the horses and dogs with all of the crazy antics, which usually lead into our nightly conversations. The glass doors will lead you onto another favorite which is the back porch. Barbecues, birthday parties, late-night summer dinners, and more are held on the porch. This is where my mom grows her herbs, strawberries, and as many hanging and potted plants as possible. While sitting on the back porch, you can watch the horses in their pastures and enjoy all five dogs loving on you while trying to take over your space on the sofa. You can travel down a staircase to the lower level of the yard and into another seating area outside the walkout basement. You can enter the basement there. Once inside the lower level of the house, you will see that this level is meant for fun. We have an air hockey table, a popcorn machine, and large tv where many video games are played. This area is meant for long cousin visits and occasional parties with friends.
Like many homes, it fits the needs of those who live there. Our house has been modified for my family members and pets. Unfortunately, our home is not ideal for any visitors with disabilities. The walkways are slippery during the winter as they are almost always covered with a sheet of ice. Bordering the walkways are snow banks that gradually grow taller as the winter season progresses. The interior layout of our home has many tight hallways and stairs. To enter the house, you must ascend a small staircase. One advantage to the layout is that there are bedrooms on our home's first and second level. So, guests do not have to travel up or down a steep staircase to reach a bedroom.
The purpose of any home is to house the residents. For my family, our house has been where we spend holidays and create memories. Luckily the extra space grants us the ability to invite family and friends over. Whether they are large or small, most of our gatherings are held in our backyard, especially around our fire pit. Our home achieves its purpose with the help of its cozy feel and large outdoor space.
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