The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The very first day in Philadelphia I became friends with the local kids. They all naturally congregate around our porch because we are in the middle of the block and have a double set of stairs with our next-door neighbors. It was so nice to receive their warm welcome, and I quickly became very fond of my 'porch kids'. I quickly realized it wasn't always very safe to live in our neighborhood, as we often heard gunshots nearby and all the kids would freeze, head on one side, waiting to find out if it was gunfire or fireworks. It is sad that they became such audial experts. I bought a big, child-friendly dog who they could all cuddle when they were scared or sad. Great Pyrenees are excellent with children, and very protective. Kiyoko loved nothing more than being cuddled, but barked to scare away any unknown adults who came near her children.

One day I heard screaming and yelling in the street, and there was a large fight going on. A man was bleeding and being beaten, and some of the kids had seen it. They had taken refuge on my porch and were shaky and crying. I realized then that I need to make my porch as welcoming and safe for them as possible.

I bought a large, comfy sofa and soon there was always cheery chatter out there as the kids drew pictures, cut out snowflakes or created armor from old boxes. Something was always going on outside. Then a neighbor's dog jumped our back fence and our dog became pregnant. We didn't even know till she was almost ready to give birth - here she is the week before, only a little fatter than normal!

Suddenly our lives changed drastically. We went from owning one dog to the chaos and craziness of 11 puppies! It was a hectic time getting them all safely vaccinated, spayed/neutered and into good homes, but the porch kids loved every minute. They didn't have to deal with all the poop!

Everyone had so much fun helping me care for the babies and getting them used to being around kids. It was a magical time.

We ended up keeping one of the puppies, Ace, the grumpiest of the litter. He won our hearts with his grouchy little face.

After a year of wear and tear, our porch furniture was worn out. It was time to come up with something better. I had an idea to come up with a green and private area where the kids could feel enclosed, almost like a tree house. But with such a small porch, it was going to be difficult. And the biggest stumbling block of all was my complete inability to keep plants alive. I confess - I am not gifted with a green thumb.

I started off the Hanging gardens with strings of solar-powered rainbow lights and some planters. And a lot of fake flowers. I know, I know - what about the bees... but a safe place for kids doesn't really involve bees if I'm honest.

I scoured the internet secondhand pages for fake plants and pots and interesting pieces to create my mini jungle. I was lucky, finding all sorts of awesome pieces.

I filled my small space with an abundance of green foliage and purple flowers. I found some rusty garden chairs and painted them up to match the porch. I used fiskars wire cutters and 5" snips to cut netting and tie everything in place with wires so it wouldn't blow down in a storm. The netting meant I could hang fake ivy everywhere for shade and privacy.

Slowly the porch took shape. The kids all came to help hang the fairy lights and display the flowers. They named my statues and suggested a fountain.

The kids were all feeling a bit traumatized after a year of staying indoors in isolation, and the added drama of riots that brought crowds of angry people to our neighborhood. They blew up the ATM on the corner and robbed the gun shop a street over... all the stores were empty and shuttered up. It was a scary time to be a kid in Philly.

Now they had Babylon to hang out in - a place where we play our own far more civilized world, where everyone has their goddess alter-ego and nobody is excluded. Babylon has a strict no-bullying policy.

Fairy lights meant they were able to stay outside longer in the summer evenings. Kiyoko made sure nobody approached them that she didn't like the smell of.

When the new chair cushions arrived the kids had a blast with the boxes.

Sometimes the kids bring their own touches to Babylon. This is Ophelia, the skull. She likes to hide among the ferns.

Every day is a new adventure on the porch now. The nicer it becomes, the more new friends we make. Even adults sometimes wander up to hang out a while. Yesterday we found a lady selling a huge box of art and craft supplies. We bought them so we can keep crayons, pencils, paper, and scissors outside for everyone to enjoy. Sometimes little pictures or gifts are made and left behind.

Life in Philly isn't always sunny. But with a dry and fun place to hang out, Babylon has made it a little brighter. And I had a blast creating our inner-city sanctuary.