Trades

Looking at Moby looking outside.

More dust abatement today, the accumulation and the recent heavy addition - which also brought the non-August weather for the energy to accomplish the tasks. Cat would prefer we never moved anything, dusted anything, nor brought out the vacuum. But he gets out of the way during. After, he looks at us like we are some crazy humans, but we are prompt with the chicken so he'll forgive us.

Took a walk up Memory Grove this morning. The last time we did that walk, the old trees stood, or lay tumbled, damaged by the tornado, and the whole place had a seedy air of neglect. The City had started to fight it's use as a prime gay cruising spot, but without making it attractive to anyone else. After the storm, locals have spent the last decade making it a well groomed garden, and in the upper reaches, an off leash dog area. We enjoyed watching all the dogs, and the bride with her wedding photographer, and a shady stroll along a stream.

There is a neighborhood adjacent, the first part of the park is, essentially, the verge in the middle of the street amidst this historic area. Full of modest, but old, historic houses. Many with Plaques. No doubt stringently managed by a community counsel, so that painting one's house there would involve several years of paperwork and wrangling. So while we admired the Quaintness, we also figured there would be little "bang for your buck" here. No double glazing, mostly small, cramped rooms, no central air, old plumbing, ancient wiring. Paying a lot for a very attractive avenue, but forfeiting comfort, safety and autonomy. Then we noticed the few apartment buildings, of the Ugly and Styleless variety, corrugated steel sides, probably built in the worst taste of the 60s and 70s, and cheaply. Those people would be paying a lot just for the area, not even the appeal of a charming old home.

We all do what we can, and make the choices available to us. Many people would think with our apartment, dealing the noise, unattractive view, and long hall walk, would be deal breakers. Covered parking, electrical grounding, professional management, a deep tub and a washer/dryer in the unit more than make up for that, for us. That, and they allow pets. That was a huge limiting factor for us, one that we gladly accommodate.

Moby will never live in a little cage again. He's home, he's our home.