Change Happens
We knew when our next door neighbor of 40 years moved into assisted living several years ago that there would be changes. A contractor bought the property and rented out Maxine's old house. It is a tear down really, but several tenants have lived there since. The current ones have junk piled in their back yard.
When the proposal for development was posted on the property, we were unhappy to see that the plan was to develop two lots behind the house, but leave the old house in place. This is a lot 300 feet deep and borders our driveway and one side of our property. We knew there would be several houses built on it and were hoping they would tear down the old one and build three new ones.
Maxine and Leroy, the original owners, were very good neighbors, and were very conscientious about keeping their lovely arborvitae hedge trimmed and cared for. It has been in place along the 300 foot property line for the 40 years we have lived here.
Now it is gone.
When I went out to get the newspaper this morning, workmen were cutting the hedge and using heavy equipment to start clearing the lot.
Right next to the fence was a big clump of Crocosmia Lucifer. I knew it would just be ripped out, so I asked if I could have some of the bulbs,
They used the digger to lift the clump and set it gently over the fence.
Tom spent the morning at Jill's house supervising her on going remodeling project. Floor covering were installed today. I went for my walk and did my exercises and stayed caught up on the news.
This afternoon we got out into the yard to do some work. As you can see, it is not raining!
I had company.
I could finally get the roses pruned. The tete-a-tete daffodils have finally come into bloom. Everything is late this year.
Now the roses are pruned, and the hedge is gone. A silt fence has been put in place.
After pruning the roses, I tackled that clump of croscomia bulbs. It was massive, and my hands hurt now from prying it apart. The result is half of a garden bin full of bulbs to plant.
Tom got the full moon maple in the front of the house pruned, a big job too.
I think I'll plant some of the crocosmia up on the wall. It will be full sun now, and what we can now see is ugly.
The hummingbirds will love them.
The digger is still working next door, clanking away. We hear that building will start in the fall, after the site preparation.
We are trying to be resigned to it all. Change happens.
Although I suppose it was inevitable that your neighbours get old and move on, it's still hard to see the changes that are taking place. One can only hope the new homes will have nice occupants.
ReplyDeleteNice that the Crocosmia got lifted over to your side. Hummingbirds love mine too!
Oh dear, those changes don't sound good. They're doing a lot of infill building around us. I always hate seeing a nice size lot chopped into several smaller lots. Some so small you can hardly get a lawnmower between the houses. I'd never heard of croscomia before. I can see why the humming birds would be attracted to it. We had sunshine today and worked cleaning up our patio.
ReplyDeleteI love the variety of plants you have and I've learned a lot from looking at your pictures and reading your blog. Sorry about the crowding into your world - we see it everywhere. I often wonder what my Dad would think if he could drive into Marysville now - what used to be open fields is a sea of roofs. Change is real.
ReplyDeleteIt must be heartbreaking to see a major change in the area.
ReplyDeleteOh no... I'm so sorry, but you're right. Change happens and you're great to roll with the change. Here's hoping whatever they build and plant there will be attractive.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is a different environment with that hedge gone. The crocosmia will be beautiful, but still. I know how difficult it is for me to deal with such a change in my environment. So sad to see it impacting you. :-(
ReplyDeleteWe also have change. We have lived next to a commercial nursery since 81 - it sold two years ago and the first house of 158 is being built. This has been difficult to see.
ReplyDeleteThose Crocosmia will look wonderful along that wall! And I'm sure the bulbs appreciated being spared and all the work you did prying them apart to renew them, and give them new life. I got out there yesterday too, despite the aches and pains of what I think are probably arthritis (not officially diagnosed). Change is difficult, I hope your new neighbors turn out to be good ones.
ReplyDeleteThose flowers are wonderful, glad you rescued them. A small apartment complex across the street has been emptied and being turned into a large apartment complex. Sigh. I'll try to adopt your attitude as change is inevitable. Your yard is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYikes, you are exposed. Such a shame and there just isn't much you can do but adjust. It was thoughtful of them to dump the Crocosmia bulbs over the fence. Think I will look them up to see if they grow here.
ReplyDeleteChange can be good, so I hope the best for you. Nice that you got those huge bulbs from the neighbor's construction crew. Your garden and designing skills can overcome whatever is unsightly to you.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well for you and your husband.
ReplyDeleteHow sad that things have to change. You had so much privacy before. Glad you saved the big chunk of bulbs. You and Tom keep such a beautiful yard, maybe that will encourage the new neighbors to do the same. Of course, that is not the case out here. A new family has moved in nearby. We can't see their place from where we live but their kids walk up the dirt path to ride the school bus. In two months time, they have littered our country road with plastic cups and styrofoam plates. I stay so angry!!
ReplyDeleteChange is difficult especially when it involves your surroundings. It looks a little sad in that direction, perhaps the people that move in will make up for it! :)
ReplyDeleteSorry about that level of change going on so close next door!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's very difficult to see the changes going on next door, especially since you and Tom work so hard at keeping your gardens stunning. Maybe your gardens will inspire any newcomers to try to do as well. One can hope.
ReplyDeleteDarn, you're going to have to listen to that noise and disruption for some time. Hopefully the new neighbours will put up a nicer looking fence or shrubbery at some point. At least you saved some of the garden bulbs.
ReplyDeleteThis is a huge change, but it is obviously one you can do nothing about except accept it. You are making the best of it by planting the croscomia. They will be beautiful there and reminder of your old neighbors. All is looking lovely in your yard.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of hedge is surely a big change for your garden. Sad too that so many homes will be built on what was once someone's yard. Glad that the crocosmia will live on in your space and didn't just get discarded.
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