Our Old Homestead is Coming Down

I just got back from an early morning bike ride. Often, I head toward the water and pedal around our old neighborhood. Today, I spotted this...

Yes, that's our old home, the one we owned for over two decades. It has been almost two years since we moved into our cozy cottage, but I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for this house. 

We ran into a former neighbor recently who mentioned that the house was slated for demolition — but not because it is inhabitable. On the contrary, we heard that the people who bought it from us opened up walls inside and made all sorts of improvements.

But did they have to rip out the entire garden? Years and years of dividing perennials... Here's peek at the front garden when we lived there. I don't see anything offensive, do you? To each his own, I guess.

Anyway, they moved to California. We were told that the newest owners want to raise up the house, like so many have done in our area after Hurricane Sandy. Apparently, the cost to do that is almost as much as building a new one, so down it comes. I understand that these folks want to make improvements, like we all do when moving to a new place. And many would find this mid-century colonial boring and basic. I liked it just the way it was.

When we moved there back in 1990, it was one of the largest homes on the street. Now, it is in the shadow of new "look at me" houses that are big and bulky with minimal green space. John and I joke that they look more like conference centers than family homes. There is nothing cozy about them. Above shows the view from my former studio before and after a giant McMansion was erected. Monster houses are taking over that neighborhood. We got out just in time!

Luckily, we have tons of photos to help us remember what a lovely spot this was to raise our family. It was a happy, happy, happy place and the memories live on, even though the actual structure will be heading to a landfill soon.

Susan
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Comments

[liz]

How sad to know your home which provided your family with many happy memories is going to be torn down. Maybe you can save a small part of it for your new home - say a shutter or that cute birdhouse in the garden, or even a piece of wood to make a sign - any small token from your old homestead.

[Susan]

Liz~ Unfortunately, that birdhouse fell apart right before we moved. However, I did take a small one. Now it hangs on a pretty Dogwood tree in our new garden. I also dug up a clump of my favorite plant which is spreading quite happily here. If I would have known they planned to rip out the garden, I would have taken a truckload of my beloved perennials with me. :)

[Elsie]

Well all I can say Susan is they had no class, LOL! That was a beautiful home with a beautiful landscape. It is so very sad
to see such a wonderful home go to waste.
I can't believe they took the garden out, how rude! LOL! It looks so lonely, not at all like you kept it.Your right those big giant houses look like office buildings or hospitals to me, cold and no character.

[Christine]

Jeez, Susan. That sign would have knocked me off my bicycle. I don't understand people. It was such a lovely home and your property so thoughtfully and beautifully done. Sickening to see the perennials gone. But your new home is beautiful and you've enhanced it's comfort and appeal to just your liking. And the photos and the memories of your former home will always be treasured.

[Ruth]

This is very sad. I loved your home and yard, it would be a dream to live there.

[Susan]

Love these comments... Thank you all for the kind words!