June 04th, 2021

This big old empty lot had a house on it two days ago.  This is our view across the street.  That driveway  which in the photo goes across the lot is being demo-ed right this minute as I type these words.    We are excited to see what ends up being built.

It's kind of funny how you get used to things.  When we moved in here, almost exactly 5 years ago, the house that used to sit on this lot was a rental.  And it was more than a little run down.  Which, frankly, was a surprise because every other house on our street, in our neighborhood and, in fact, most of the island, is lovingly cared for. This one was sadly neglected.  It was, as many houses here are, a one level house with a carport that was situated diagonally across a lot that had a few enormous trees in front of it.  Awhile ago, most of the trees came down, but the house remained, slowly becoming older and sadder as time went by.

Initially it kind of stood out like a sore thumb to us.  If it had a glowing neon sign on the roof it would not have been more spectacularly decrepit looking.  And we couldn't help but notice the ever changing cast of characters who came and went.  I never actually  met any of the renters or their guests, but occasionally I would see someone across the street in a quick peripheral glimpse.  And then one day, it seemed that nobody lived there at all.

But you know how they say that you can get used to anything?  Well I guess that's true because after awhile, the house across the street wasn't on our radar at all.  While we might notice a new plants in front of someone else's house or newly painted shutters or even a different mailbox, the run down house across the street just became kind of invisible.

At one time we had high hopes that the owners were planning to fix it up!  Wouldn't that be nice! I know it's a lot of work and time (and money!) because we are doing the same thing with our house which is of the same general era.    And it seemed that while the house was sitting empty it would be the perfect time to take on a reno project or two (or 12).   And then we heard rumors around the neighborhood that the owners were just going to tear it down and start over.   Aha!

But months went by.  Months and Months and Months of nothing happening. So we stopped thinking about it. And since we have long since stopped really "seeing" the house I were very surprised when I went outside two days ago to bring in the newspaper and I saw this:
 

I stood like like a statue for a few minutes mesmerized by the work of that huge machinery then ran back in the house for my camera to grab a few quick shots.  On my way by, I told Tim that the house was coming down and he went outside to watch too.

We weren't the only oglers either.  The demolition of that house was quite the draw for a lot of people.  Tim is the one on the far right.

Throughout that first day there were groups of people watching the show blatantly,  a few bicyclers pedaling ever so ssslllooowwwlllyy past and a couple of far more discrete walkers who tried to be very covert about their peeking.  Cars drove past at the slowest speeds we've ever seen,  moms' carriaging babies lingered in the shade of  nearby trees and even pets seemed to be fascinated by the goings on.

The demo will be completed today for sure and at some point all of the various steps involved with a new build will commence.  I've no idea when it will happen of course.   I've heard that it will be a big house, two stories at least, which means it will have a view of the bay but I don't know anything for fact not being privvy to that information. But eventually, we shall see.  And then everyone will, once again, be entertained.  But this time instead of by destruction it will be by construction.  And it will be fun to watch.

I tell ya, it's an exciting life!  Something new and different happening every day!

Have a terrific weekend!

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