"All things change; nothing perishes." Ovid
All together now. Let's hear it: I DON'T LIKE CHANGE!
Yeah....I've said it so many times that you probably think it's my mantra. I'm willing to let the world have all the excitement while here in my nest, things remain on an even keel.
At least, that's what I would prefer. But no matter how I try, I can't prevent things from changing around me. Just the fact that I've had the good fortune to wake up each morning means that I've changed. My family has changed, my job has changed. I've even changed husbands, and my pets have changed.
Now, my home is going to change.
One of my friends pointed out an article in a local paper the other day, announcing the coming work on the road where I live. Almost sixteen years ago we bought land at an end of a row of farmettes. At the time, our road was very rural, but the planning commission of the city where I live, looked at all that undeveloped land and said....."We must cover every inch of it!"
And then the county got into the act. Between the two, both the east and west ends of our road have been developed into four lane highways. This Spring they want to connect the two pieces. I think this year, and maybe part of next year are going to be a nightmare. It's going to be difficult to get in and out of our drive, and there will be times our water will be cut off.
What bothers me the most about this, is not the road itself. but that we will loose 60+ foot evergreens and another old tree. If they don't cut them down in the process of putting in the road, the trees will die from damage to their root systems. And THEN, the city will come along and force us to pay to have the trees removed.
I don't want to see those trees go. I hate the fact that the city can come through and disrupt my life, and ruin my property, and then turn around and make me pay for it. I hate change.
I'm sure that Ovid is right about everything changing. I know that all the molecules will still be there, just in another form, but I'm not ready for those molecules to be reorganized. I need to start researching shrubs and trees to plant parallel to the road. I need a barrier between me and all that traffic.
And while we're at it......I want my dog back, too!
Dear Husband believes that it's not worth your time to worry or complain about something that hasn't happened yet. I've worried for years about what is going to happen this Spring, while he's done his Alfred E. Newman imitation. My mother says that her grandmother used to say "Don't trouble trouble til trouble troubles you." I suppose they are right, but if I don't worry, who will?
I sure wish all that worry could have prevented the loss of my trees.
Comments (9)
Oh poor you. That is my worst nightmare, and the only thing that would ever make us move from The Coven I think.
In your position, I would make some sort of representation about the trees, now. It sounds like you haven't got anything to lose, and everything to gain.
Here, many old trees are 'listed' which means that they cannot be cut down for the sake of development. And, even if they're not listed, so can be cut down, as part of developments, the developers have to put in appropriate noise-absorbing shielding greenery or earth banks etc. No way would the person who had lost the amenity ever have to bear the cost themselves!
Good luck.
Posted by Blue Witch | March 8, 2005 5:15 AM
Posted on March 8, 2005 05:15
Ummm...Buffy (you know what comes after that lead-in, right?) You and I and (probably) millions of other folks have the same problem. We move into a pristine area so that we can enjoy the wildlife, peace, and quiet. Then, along come more people who intrude upon our lives and make us just a member of the (civilized?) pack. Yet, we didn't hesitate to take the land from the critters and disrupt their way of life. Moral: I'm not sure, but I think that it means that we are no better than "they" are. We humans are a sad lot, aren't we. (As soon as the sun peeps over the horizon, the eathmoving equipment will start up, again, working on a loop of road that will make our street a "through" street. *sigh*)
Posted by Devil's Advocate (Cop Car's alter ego) | March 8, 2005 7:10 AM
Posted on March 8, 2005 07:10
I'm sorry, dear. (Devil's Advocate couldn't say that--'twould ruin her image.)
Posted by Cop Car | March 8, 2005 7:11 AM
Posted on March 8, 2005 07:11
BW..it's worth a trip the the planning office, and SOON. I'll probably feel better once I see what they have planned, and I know how bad it might be. That would be a good time to talk with them about the trees.
Cop Car.....We HAVE taken some of what the wildlife called theirs, but we've given back. We've maintained areas for them when everyone around us clear cut. For that, our two legged neighbors are likely to complain.
And then, there are the raccoons. We have given them MORE than they deserve!
Thanks for commiserating.
Posted by Buffy | March 8, 2005 3:55 PM
Posted on March 8, 2005 15:55
Geez I know how you feel! Weare in the same boat! Money was aproreated twenty years ago to connect our road to a through road. I drade it. However at my age I may not be here when they do it!
Posted by Joe Smitherman | March 8, 2005 8:11 PM
Posted on March 8, 2005 20:11
I know what you mean about the trees. several years ago, someone put a trailer on a 6 acre parcel down and across the street from us (which had been part of a 40 acre farm previously).
The power company cut down a HUGE pine tree to run the power lines (we were the last on the line before that). Now we have a great view of the blue trailer every winter because all the rest of the trees are leaf-losers (I can never remember if that makes them deciduous or not - or even how to spell the darned word).
I was most upset that we never got word of it - just came home and it had been cut down. I know, I know, technically the tree was on town land (the right of way), but it still upset me.
I'm sorry that progress has caught up with you!
Posted by bogie | March 10, 2005 2:39 PM
Posted on March 10, 2005 14:39
Joe, I'm sorry that this kind of thing may come your way. It's very disrupting, in a lot of ways. Turn your computer away from the window, and just keep blogging, hon.
Bogie, I'm rather sorry it has, too. I'd move to Montana or Idaho, if I could find work, but if you're seeing the same thing happen in New Hampshire, then maybe no place is safe. It's a shame they had so little consideration for that evergreen. It will be the same for our trees, I'm sure.
Posted by Buffy | March 10, 2005 3:52 PM
Posted on March 10, 2005 15:52
We are the second fastest growing state (population percentage wise) east of the Mississippi. My town doubled its normal growth rate in 2004. So I don't think any place is safe!
Posted by bogie | March 11, 2005 9:32 AM
Posted on March 11, 2005 09:32
that so bites! Progress is not always progress.
Posted by Desiree | March 14, 2005 12:28 AM
Posted on March 14, 2005 00:28