We live in a rural neighborhood… that isn’t quite as rural as it seems. We’re a town of 6,000 and we have a main hub of retail spaces that include a Dunkin Donuts, a Subway, a few other restaurants including chinese, pizza, a family restaurant, a gourmet take-out and a bakery. There are other retail spaces including our little artisan gallery attached to a toy store… and we’ve got a gigantic True Value hardware store. And I mean gigantic…. because out here in the sticks (just 10 minutes from Route 1 along the coast)….we apparently need THAT MUCH massive power equipment , tools, pet supplies, paint, carhart clothing and bird feeders to survive the wilds.
Truth be told, the folks at True Value had another space that was more appropriately sized, and they wanted to expand some to meet their growing needs. This charming little hamlet’s town government gave them such grief they were forced to find another location up the street and rebuild unless they wanted to remain stagnant. Rebuild they did, and in GRAND central scale. Their old place sits vacant. In this economy?… well I wish them the best, they’re good people and they’ve been good to the people of this town. We need a town planner, enough said.
The street we live on has a very odd name, and it comes from a very odd circumstance that occured just behind our house on the hill you see frequently in pictures here. I have to repeat the name frequently when I’m asked for my street address because folks can’t believe someone would name our road what it is named. Despite the hideous name and it’s origin, it’s location and scenery are worth the weirdness . This Old House is one of quite a few old homesteads and our neighbors have settled along this road for much of the same reasons we have….the rural character and the old world charm from the turn of the last century. While none are fancy, the homes reflect their owners pride and appreciation for their history.
This morning our neighbors across the street brought us a beautiful wire basket full of treasures from their garden. The pickles and ratatoille are delicious and just look at those dried mushrooms and cukes.
What a nice neighbor and look at that wonderful fire pit. How fun! Too hot here right now for one of those. It was 102 here yesterday and then top that with extreme humidity and it is just not even livable outside. At 11pm it was still in the eighties. Yuck!
It's a dry heat here in Roanoke today. A dry blast of wind hit me in the face as I stepped out of the grocery store and I wondered for a moment if we were back in Arizona again. Headed for 99 today. No fire pits going in our neighborhood this summer.
Di
The only thing a fire might do around here is keep the skeeters at bay… briefly. Much too hot for a fire. It sure does sound relaxing, though! Marshmallows, s'mores… ahhh, yum!
LOL – the carpet. I know it's not funny, but at least you feel at home. 🙂
Love the fire and so glad you have great neighbors.
What's the name of your street; I SWEAR I won't tell anyone. hahahaha
Is your back better"
I want to be your neighbor!!!!! hehe
…sounds like a great place…our town is small too…a bit smaller than yours with lots of hills, horses, cattle and nature abounds. we spent all of today mowing around the house and the pastures…in 98 degrees! i am ready for autumn…my favorite, so i can sit around a fire at night too! xoxo
ut-oh…hope it wasn't Ben! That would be one big puddle! Now that's a fire!! I too have to say the street you live on is my favorite also…it's awesome for bike riding…
I love the fire pit, I want one…. I'll start nagging my husband 🙂
Ah, nothing like the smell of dog pee makes you feel at home more 😉
You have some nice neighbours there. That must make you feel welcome. And what a great fire. Have I mentioned I JUST LOVE YOUR HOUSE?
😉
Okay, I am more than a little curious about the name of the road now… even though for obvious reasons it can't be listed here 🙂 I love a good story and I think your house and all of the thought and care going into it are a "good story."
I love to sit outside around a fire, but it's way too hot here down South! We'll have to wait til October for that pleasure! I'm getting what you say about the dog pee–I'm trying to housebreak a incorrigible wire haired Jack Russell Terrier named Rikki I adopted from a shelter. I've finally got her to use a pee pad on the porcelain tile in the foye–(so it doesn't get on anything), but really who wants that to greet them when they enter? I'm used to bigger dogs who WANT to go outdoors!
"one of the dogs finally peed on a carpet yep…. it's starting to feel like home"
LOLing!