Spring 2009

Spring is finally attempting to break through the bindings of winter. I can tell, because I have new neighbors next door, and they are in lawn maintenance mode.

Some backstory is needed. The house next to mine has been sort of a transient space for the last few years as the owners, a couple in their fifties, both died unexpectedly in a close span of time. Their son took over the house. He's a young man in his early twenties, and he preferred to focus his energies in other areas rather than in the mundane chores of home ownership. He really wasn't too interested in things like lawn mowing and painting.

He's since moved on, and the new owners are pretty much absentee landlords. They did, however, make an attempt at fixing up the ole place; the fixed the roof and painted the outside. I have no complaints about them. They are ok, and the house looks one hundred percent better than it did.

We have come full circle; the house is rented, and the renters have a couple of small kids who run around in the yard. It's a good thing.

The renters have taken rakes and clippers and saws to the jungle that was the backyard. For a very long time the backyard was in a bad state of disrepair, and the new renters have basically cleared away all the debris. The yard is looking good now, and I am sure it is a much safer place for their kids to play in.

There are a lot of renovations going on in my neighborhood lately. A new roof on a house the next street over, new sheetrock going in across the street. The sounds of hammering and sawing. Spring seems like a good time for this. While people might not be buying houses, I am glad that others are repairing their places; it's good for the neighborhood.

Soon: it will be time to start up the motorcycle and prepare for riding season.

I can't wait.