Between the Lions
During my walks I have noticed several houses with lions guarding the front entry area. I would estimate that half of all the streets I have walked so far have had at least one house with lions. As I was walking down Niagara this morning, I found a pair that was particularly imposing and snapped a picture.
After doing some online research (everythinginsights.com) I learned that lion statues in front of a house carry a symbolic meaning of protection and security. The tradition of placing lion statues at the entrance of a residence dates back to ancient civilizations where lions were revered as guardians. I wonder if a would-be-thief would pass by a house with lions in favor of one “unprotected”.
There was also a front yard with a rainbow slip-and-slide. Nothing says summer vacation and 90-degree heat like a slip-and-slide. I was glad I was doing this walk in the morning, before the heat of the day. Although had I been walking by when it was turned on, I would have been tempted to take a slide for old times’ sake.
The other interesting note about Niagara is that it is split in half by the highway. I started at Hilliard, but I had to take a detour at the North Marginal. The street started back up at Lakewood Heights Boulevard south of I-90. There was a great little pocket park (Niagara Park) at that location, complete with a mini rock-climbing wall.
