I have a friend who arranged a huge bouquet of domestic field sunflowers for her coffee table. Totally unexpected and stunning. Several weeks later I saw an inspiring arrangement of artificial sunflowers. So, when equipment arrived to install infrastructure for a new development in the vacant lot next to our condo, I collected some of the wild sunflowers from the lot for a bouquet.
We’ve lived with this empty space in the middle of town, just to the east of our property, for five years—since moving into our twelve-unit building. Although the unit Ken and I purchased faces the west, we’ve experienced the lot’s proximity just the same.
The prospect of new neighbors has been more than exciting. Instead of the 60 units there will be 75 units—in a different configuration than we antaicipated. We’ve had meetings with city officials, usually younger than our children, to voice concerns. Some of them have been very nice people.
Here’s how how the lot in question looks when newly mowed. Trim and neat—not so bad. Do you see the Jackribbit?
The prospect of new neighbors has been more than exciting. Instead of the 60 units there will be 75 units—in a different configuration than we antaicipated. We’ve had meetings with city officials, usually younger than our children, to voice concerns. Some of them have been very nice people.
Here’s how how the lot in question looks when newly mowed. Trim and neat—not so bad. Do you see the Jackribbit?
When not newly mowed, individual grasses and wildflowers show their stuff. That’s not so bad, either. When learning how to use the camera, I couldn’t resist taking pictures. There are tiny scattered white flowers. Other plants dominate areas. Is this broom tail grass?
The empty space has provided a home for cottontails, jackrabbits, and an interesting prairie bird. The prairie birds—everyone in our building loves them—usually hide when the grass is tall and shaggy. I can’t imagine them surviving in a more civilized surround. Jackrabbits won’t either. Even now, a hefty percentage are hit by passing cars. Cottontails will continue to be a nuisance.
Most of us don’t feel too badly about what we’re losing; it’s what we’re gaining that concerns us. Our neighborhood will be different than we originally anticipated and different than we’ve experienced to date.
I’m inclined to think the builders and city might be making a mistake—that a good number of baby boomers will want our type of setup in a few years. North Dakotans love their wide open spaces, and our present arrangement doesn’t seem crowded. But demographics are changing and a larger number of people will want smaller spaces (just as they now want smaller cars).
Most of us don’t feel too badly about what we’re losing; it’s what we’re gaining that concerns us. Our neighborhood will be different than we originally anticipated and different than we’ve experienced to date.
I’m inclined to think the builders and city might be making a mistake—that a good number of baby boomers will want our type of setup in a few years. North Dakotans love their wide open spaces, and our present arrangement doesn’t seem crowded. But demographics are changing and a larger number of people will want smaller spaces (just as they now want smaller cars).
Meanwhile, our home suits us. I plan to enjoy it as long as I live here.
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