WALKING WITH EYES OPEN

        On Tuesday afternoon, once the rain had stopped, me and my walking partner walked down to the Albertsons in Lake Forest Park. Since the shelter in place began, I’ve not walked much beyond my usual route, nor have I driven hither, thither and yon. I’ve mainly driven to the place I have to go and then back home. It’s amazing how things can change when you no longer habitually drive or walk certain streets.

          I also must say that apparently lots of people sheltering have taken to upgrading or updating their properties. Changes I would have noticed when they were in process are now complete and look lovely. One house we passed had four new brick columns with lights in the top and a lovely berm between two of them. They’d also added a largeish gazebo at the entry walkway. I talked to the people who live there last year when they had a huge pile of dirt and mulch in front. They were wheelbarrowing it back behind the house. I’d really like to see their back yard now too.

          Further along, was what I thought was completely new construction. I can’t even remember what the house that was there looked like. My walking partner said they’d torn everything down except for one wall and built the house from there. Remodeling permits are apparently cheaper than new construction permits. In any case, it’s another lovely big house in which I would have delighted were I ever so much younger. Now, I look at these monstrosities and all I can think of is all the vacuuming, cleaning and dusting it would require. Please, give me something with about 1,000 square feet or less.

          On a different road, there was house that had caught on fire a year or two ago. It just sat there with caution tape, danger and no trespassing signs. It was a mess for months and months. Work had just begun when the pandemic set in. It was totally removed and now, an entirely new house has been framed in. When they began work, it was my intention to go to the rear of the house site once it was cleared and look at what’s back there. Of course, that didn’t happen, but I saw a construction guy in front, and pulling what I think of as a “Maryanne,” I approached and asked if we could see what’s behind the house.

          There were actually three workmen there and they were all agreeable to us coming inside and looking out what will be a huge back window. I had expected to see the stream, but if it’s really there, it’s buried beneath a whole bunch of foliage. Now, I’m wondering if the builder will have it landscaped or if the new owners will have to do it themselves…lots of weeds to clear. It also turns out the house is being built on spec, so perhaps when it’s finished there will be a “for sale” open house and I can see the completed work. The workmen said the plans indicate it will have five bedrooms. Again, all that cleaning…ugh!!!

          Not too far away, actually just a bit down the street on the other side is a house I’ve never ever seen before. The property appears to be sort of a triangle shape with streets on two sides. My walking partner and I tried to remember what was there before. The house obviously isn’t new construction. It looks like they’re going to fence both sides of the triangle and that greenish mulch has been sprayed all over so there will be grass. We couldn’t see where any trees had been cut down. Walking back a slightly different way, I spotted a hedge at the north end of this property. I remember walking there in the past and the signs saying no parking, mainly because it was very wet and mushy. I think that hedge perhaps went all the way around the property. That, or it was so overgrown with weeds and bushes, we just never realized there was a house in there.

          It’s probably been more than a year since I walked this route. I remember last year wondering how the few straggly plants on the sides of an open culvert would survive. Survive they did and now cover both sides of the culvert and look wonderful. I also realized why the pieces of wood had been placed just so in the culvert. They’re there to slow the water down so it doesn’t drag the soil edges of the culvert away. Pretty smart.

          My walking partner and I usually walk the same route day after day. Even doing that, we almost always spot something new we haven’t seen before. It can be the flowering of plants, bushes or trees that are just now happening. It can be a change some homeowner is making, children playing, cats greeting us and wanting a scritch. We never really know what we’re going to see from day to day, but there’s usually at least one change one of us will point out to the other and discuss.

          We, of course, do have our own personal opinions about some of the changes homeowners have made or should make. And, of course, we continually ask each other why we weren’t consulted because we always have such great ideas about what could have been done better or what should be done. Just this morning I suggested we write a little note to someone…now, of course, I cannot remember which house or what the note would have said. Not that we would ever do such a thing, but it’s kinda fun to contemplate as we walk along.