First Impressions

 This past fall we had visitors. My son and his new family came from Minnesota, so I invited my sister-in-law to come up since she had not seen Jeff for quite some time.

You know how it is when you have company coming. You make every effort to show your property in the best light possible. My gardens are still in a state of beginnings, but I promise it will be spectacular in 2024. We were still waiting for the driveway to be finished, but all in all things looked pretty good, if crowded.

So when I asked my sister-in-law what she thought of our new home she said it was better than she was expecting. I was a little baffled. She saw pictures of the place before we bought it. But I didn't linger on that thought. It wasn't until we were coming home one day after all the company had left. 

As we turned off the highway and onto the road leading up to the higher properties, I looked at all the "houses" along the way and I suddenly knew what she meant. She must have thought we had lost our minds, choosing a homestead in this area.

Here, let me show you just a taste:

There are signs posted to "KEEP OUT" and "PRIVATE PROPERTY". I don't know who would be brave enough to even consider entering this place. I always expect to see it collapsed after a good storm. I have no idea who it belongs to or how long it has been abandoned. I just wish they would tear it down and clean up the land.

But, this is just one of the unsavory homesites on that road leading to my turn-off. There are several sad sites along the way. I would have taken pictures, but they are occupied and I don't think it would be neighborly to display other folks shortcomings. There is also a single wide trailer next to the property above, also abandoned.

At least everything would appear to be contained in each structure and not scattered in the front next to the road for all to see. This next set of pictures is from the worst one on that road.

This is the beginning of the property as I roll along the road. Oh, just stay tuned, it gets "better".

Getting closer to the main domicile of old.

I am sad that the weeds and bushes have lost their foliage as it somewhat camoflages the magnificence of neglect. But that will never cover the junk closest to the road. Looks like a big metal basin with a handle and some roof tin with various bits of debris, pieces of wood and rocks.

This off to the side and somewhat back from the trailer. Looks like a couple of hauling trailers with trash in bags and thousands of white water jugs, maybe milk? Who knows.

Come on in to our humble abode .... if you dare.

Close up of the front porch. I see some sort of power saw up there, a child's rocking horse and wagon. I itch to get out of my car and investigate the big rocks on the ground. I could use those ....

Wonder what shape the inside is in. For a long time there was a light on somewhere in there. Looked like it was from a range hood in the kitchen or maybe a light in the bathroom.

Is it bad that I would take advantage of a chance to clean the place up? I am sure there are some treasures hiding in the trash. It doesn't show in any of the pictures, but there is a garden bench sitting on the ground next to the body of the trailer. The wood seat is warped and dips in, but I think the back and sides are iron! It would be a nice addition to any one of my gardens with a new seat installed.

Only once have we seen anyone there. We have been told it is someone who owns lots of property in the area and is not very friendly. I am certain I could make him talk to me, I have a gift. Even if they talk to me in hopes that I will go away faster.

Other homes along the way are sad and shabby, but the trailer in the last set of photos vies for the title of THE WORST with an occupied home.

The house is brick, what you can see of it. I assume they only enter through the carport because the front porch is stuffed with various stuff. There are many cars in various states in the yard. A riding lawn mower looks like it struck a big tree and no longer runs, but they just left it there. A hauling trailer is in the front yard filled with bags of trash that is sometimes spilling over. There was a sofa on it for a long time. Can't tell how often they visit the dump with a load, but not too often. A cute little black dog, medium sized and low to the ground with big ears plays right next to the road. He looks like he might have some Bassett Hound in his blood line. The house front porch sports a Trump 2020 banner that is not in good repair flapping in the wind. Should I buy a calendar for them so they know what year it is?

Another little house quite close to the road chose to park a small RV in the tiny front yard, totally obscuring the front of the house. They mowed around all the obstacles during the summer, but seemed oblivious to the tall growth of grass and weeds surrounding anything in the yard.

I can just imagine my in-laws driving to our house on this road and what they were thinking to find at the end of the journey!