Weekend at home

 

After February, the chance for lowland snow in western Washington drops to about zero. But the weather is so wonky these days, who knows?  All I can say is, we're having a spring-teasing stretch now, with no rain this week and high temperatures reaching the 50's.  

I kicked the jade plants outside, and the house suddenly felt bigger. This is very early and I might have to bring them in again. On the other hand, it wouldn't break my heart if they froze. As you get older, it seems the key to happiness is not what you're able to acquire, but what you can let go. 

Speaking of wonky, I finished the little brick path detour. It fits right in with the other brick mess, enough said about that. Maybe someday we'll have everything ripped out and build a real patio.

Or maybe not. The city is closing in from both sides, taking the appeal out of the deck and backyard, which once felt entirely private. We have a new house across the alley looming down and the school addition going up in front of us. I just keep my nose to the grindstone and ignore it. This is my favorite time of year to work outside. So peaceful, just me and the birds.

Remember the classic story called "The Little House" by Virginia Lee Burton? It sounds like West Seattle. Our house was built in about 1910, when there was hardly anything out here on the peninsula.  

The story centers on a house built at the top of a small hill, far out in the country in 1900 America. Her builder decrees that she "may never be sold for gold or silver" but is built sturdy enough to one day see his great-great-grandchildren's great-great-grandchildren living in her. The house watches the seasons pass, and wonders about the lights of the city, which grow ever closer in the year 1915. 

 Eventually a road is built in front of the house. This is followed by roadside stands, gas stations and more little houses. Next, the small houses are replaced by apartments in the year 1925. Streetcars, an elevated railroad and a subway surround the house in the year 1930. Finally, two gigantic skyscrapers are built—one on each side; now living in the city in the year 1940, the house is sad because she misses being on the small hill in the countryside and that her exterior looks shabby due to no one living in her and the city's environment thanks to urban sprawl and poor planning.

(From Wiki)