Walkability & New Ruralism - Staunton, VA scores!!
My home address in Staunton is more walkable than some major cities - hooray!
Bikes & Bananas
urban farmer, walkable Comments (0)
Two recent articles that hit on the zeitgeist of redefining “new ruralism”:
From Wired: Why Urban Farming Isn’t Just for Foodies
But what I love most here is the potential for cultural transformation. Growing our own food again would reconnect us to this country’s languishing frontier spirit.
Once you realize how easy it is to make the concrete jungle bloom, it changes the way you see the world. Urban environments suddenly appear weirdly dead and wasteful. When I walk around New York City now, I see the usual empty lots and balconies and I think, Wait a minute. Why aren’t we growing food here? And here? And here?
From Salon, Realtors Peddle Real Estate to Bike-Happy Clients
“Living out in the suburbs just isn’t a big deal anymore,” says Matt Kolb, a bike agent who owns Pedal to Properties, a Boulder, Colo., firm. “People want to live, work and go to school within a six blocks radius — that’s changing the way they look at property.”
Can’t grow bananas here, but I’m peeling out the bike more!
katie @ August 29, 2008
Porch Purveyor
Okay: I’m going to sell you on my porch. Why? Because I’ve been trying to sell it to myself!
You see, the porch is a central figure in many homes. Ours may have played a role in the original owner’s reputation. I can imagine the whispers from long ago: “Why does Miss Lucretia Cox entertain so many single men on her porch?”
So, here are some recent changes. Of course, I just thought to take these photos tonight so you’ll have to use some imagination.
First, we replaced the single, sad-looking bulb with a handmade copper lantern my uncle David picked up from an artist friend.
Next, I painted the floor. I’d have preferred to keep it natural, but, the wood is weathered beyond what sanding could do to revive it. Here’s a “before” shot:
So now it’s a cool slate gray shade. The ceiling was already painted a light blue, per tradition. (Use your imagination with this nighttime shot). See the lettuce we’re growing? And the misty lake-fog light effect beyond?
Truthfully, these rails are unsafe and a real eyesore. We plan to re-do the stairs and rails sometime next year. Can’t you imagine Lucretia sitting here once?
The next big project tackled is underneath the porch. I’m painting it white — and, NEWS FLASH! — it’s kind of a real big pain. I spent most of the weekend on it, and so far consumed two gallons of paint. It’s not even halfway done. Here’s a shot in progress.
Whew! I actually look forward to a long week because that’s what I’ll be doing again this weekend.
The bedroom is on hold as we order some specific items. But wait, who said bedroom? We’re just chatting on the porch…
katie @ August 25, 2008
Doctor, is That a Tree?
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A few days ago I did a Google search — “arborist + Staunton” — and who should pop up but this guy:
My uncle, Randy. I totally forgot he knows a thing or two about trees. And turf. And a bunch of other outdoors-y stuff. He works at Big O Tree.
That’s convenient because the big silver maple tree outside our house needs some serious help. Branches are falling off in some places, while other parts of the six-trunk tree are growing gangbusters. Not to mention the debris inside the tree. We found a skateboard in it when we moved in. Here’s a gloomy picture from back then (note the tub!):
Diagnosis: this tree needs a serious operation. I had some sticker shock with the price (does this include a family discount??). But, if you want something done right you have to pay for it.
Here’s what I learned about calling a tree doctor if you need one:
* If you pay some guy off the street to trim your tree, you might just kill it because he won’t know what he’s doing
* Or, he could fall and sue your ass.
* Or, he could slice off his leg with a chainsaw. And sue your ass.
* Only real jerks “top” trees — that’s where you cut the branches down to look like trunks. The tree grows back but the branches are brittle.
Speaking of gloomy, post-summer yards… we’re planning our landscaping for the winter. I ordered a few Cameilla trees.
They might be too large for our yard. But I’m hoping the evergreen quality will give a burst of green. And the large rose-looking buds should look cottage-y.
Now, just for all the other work that must be done…!
katie @ August 21, 2008