Staying at home does not necessarily mean staying in the house.

Those of us fortunate to have a front or back yard and some property to grow a garden or flower bed can look forward to spring and the opportunity to enjoy good weather.

Understanding that not all of us are budding horticulturists and backyard farmers, enjoying the warmth of the sun, a cool evening breeze and nature in general can break up a long day inside the confines of four walls.

Have you ever taken the time to enjoy your trees, bushes, flowers, birds, squirrels, and even bugs?

There is a world of adventure in the everyday nature happening right in your own backyard.

As I’m writing this, I just stopped to watch two squirrels chase each other around the trunk of a large tree. Birdfeeders are attracting everything from cardinals to grackles.

We live in the wonderful, picturesque, walkable neighborhood of Edgewood, on a dead-end street that backs up to a wooded area, where raccoons, possums, groundhogs, deer, and unfortunately coyotes venture into our backyards. While we do not feed them, we do enjoy seeing them pass through.

Venturing outside my street (with proper protection) provides the much-needed exercise, in addition to reacquainting myself with the neighborhood.

I walk to the pharmacy, bank and local restaurants serving take-out, keeping the 6-foot plus distance.

I choose different streets every day, paying particular attention to the architecture, landscaping and character of the community.

If this is to be our fate for the near future, let’s make the best of it. And while we are at it, let us stop and smell the roses.