Backyard

Mike has hundreds of happy memories from his younger years, growing up in the small town of Millville, Utah. Most of those memories are centered in the backyard of his childhood home. Mike’s parents live on a beautiful acre of land. This lovely acre has been put to good use for many, many years, starting with a massive vegetable garden his parents plant every year. Mike couldn’t even begin to count the number of tackle football games he’s played with his friends on the back field of grass, the number of apricots or cherries he’s consumed from the surrounding fruit trees, or the number of laps he’s made around the perimeter of this acre on his cross country skis. I’ve even been in the family long enough to remember the gigantic play hut that Mike’s dad built with his own two hands. It used to stand right behind the garden there. It’s gone now…too many lose boards and protruding nails for the kids to injure themselves on. I miss it though.

I love the Dickey’s backyard. I have many pleasant and precious memories of my own that originate there. It’s a beautiful, peaceful place, perfect for hanging out, exploring (and photographing) on a summer evening…

The Dickey’s long-time neighbor Dixie grows a lovely garden of flowers (wild and domestic) in the field that boarders the Dickey’s yard. Included are many a beautiful specimen…

I love that yellow-orange moss (at least I think it’s moss) that grows on all the trees in the yard…

A photo of this basketball hoop must be included. Mike has spent more hours shooting baskets and playing ball here than you can imagine. After all, this is were he developed his mad basketball skills. When he’s home in Millville shooting baskets in his parent’s backyard under a canopy of shade trees, he’s totally in his element. He’s more Mike than anywhere else.

This is Purr-face, the latest addition in the Dickey family’s long string of adopted cats. He a bit mangy, but sweet.

Mike’s parents have considered moving a few times because keeping up an acre of land in this fashion takes hours and hours of hard work, but I’m so glad they’ve decided to stay for now. I love this yard, my kids love this yard, and of course Mike loves this yard. If we didn’t have this backyard my kids wouldn’t have a place to ride the snowmobiles and sleds in the winter, or go for rides in the wagon pulled behind the riding lawn mower, swing on the swings, roast marshmallows around a makeshift fire pit, or sleep out on the trampoline under the stars during the summer. Grandma and Grandpa Dickey’s house is the backyard.