On the way to the garden on Tuesday, we pass an old, abandoned house. One other spot driven by recently, we were surprised to see that that home had already been leveled. This was the second home in a month. I managed to take a photo of the previous place. The next day it was gone. I have been trying to get photos of all the ones in our area, and beyond. Seeing them for all these years in this state of disrepair, I have gotten used to these old homes. A lot of them look like they are just going to fall right over but I always wonder who lived there, thinking this was once someone's dream. What stories those old walls could tell.
My dear other half reminded me that there was another coming up in a few miles. It is hard to slow down as there is always a lot of traffic (the photo above is a cropped version of the first). When he said we were about to drive by, I already had the window rolled down, the strap of the phone wrapped tightly around my wrist and was ready. A 'someone's-one-time-dream-home-taken-on-a-fly-by' photo. It has been in this state for as long as we have lived in the area, and that's been for over 30 years plus. The house must have been built when the road was little more than a narrow country lane, long before this heavier traveled route appeared. I guess someone finally sold the land. We have an abundance of farmland that has been in families for generations, that have gone to the building companies. We often surmise a parent passed on and the children decided it was time. Land is always considered a premium right?
I wonder what will be built in its place? Gas stations are going up everywhere, or more homes. I will be paying attention.
A few miles on we saw police officers on motorcycles going in the opposite direction. There must have been a dozen or more. A little further on we came across these guys. I thought they looked really sharp. As you can see by their short-sleeved shirts it was a warm day. We wished them well as we passed by.
So, from old, abandoned buildings, to motorcycle police officers. Next time it will be flowers from the garden.
Thanks for looking and have a great day!
How strange to see all of the police on the motorcycles! I sure wonder what was going on. Maybe trying out some new motorcycles that the precinct just got? Poor old house. I think of the same thing you do when seeing homes in such bad shape. Who all lived there and what were they like.
ReplyDeleteHi Ginny, we once were out and about - a while ago now - that we followed about 30 or so motorcycle officers, and as each side road came up, they peeled off and closed those side roads. They did this until we had to turn off ourselves but fortunately were able to do that without any problem. We found out afterwards that a VIP was traveling about a mile or two behind us and they were their escort making sure no traffic would interfere with their route. We have also seen funeral processions where they have been escorts also.
DeleteYes, poor old house and it's still there :*) We passed by it again yesterday.
When I see old houses like the one you showed, I wonder too.
ReplyDeleteThe police look good on their bikes.
Yes, if only we knew about the people there. They motorcycle officers did look good didn't they? :)
DeleteDear Denise, you show a great variety today... may you have a wonderful day
ReplyDelete... the tulips are the dream now - aren't they :-)))
Hug
Hello Viola, thank you and they certainly are. You have a wonderful day also. Sending hugs :)
DeleteI do the same thing with houses like the one in your pictures. I imagine what the house must have looked like new and think about the family that lived inside. It's always sad to see houses abandoned and falling apart.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Ann, thank you :)
DeleteI always find it sad to see people's hopes and dreams leveled. And sadder when they are replaced by a commercial building.
ReplyDeleteGosh yes, that's very sad. This is happening everywhere I suppose. Thank you Sue :)
DeleteI wonder if these police are just scootering off to their tea breaks
ReplyDeleteAh well, could be but I think it's more likely escort duty :)
DeleteAbandoned houses are so sad. When we lived in Ireland, many years ago, I was astonished at the number of abandoned cottages I saw.
ReplyDeleteThose Irish cottages are beautiful too, the ones with whitewashed walls and thatched rooves? It's sad to see any home fall into disrepair. Thank you Janice :)
DeleteThose old houses look like they needed to come down.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see the small group of police on their motorcycles, I wonder if they were just out for a practice ride. Take care, have a great day!
One thing I always wonder is if anyone tries to use them to seek shelter, and how dangerous they are for them. Could be those officers were on practice runs, but first thing that came to my mind was that they had just finished escorting someone to the airport, which isn't too far away. Thank you Eileen, you take care and have a great day also :)
Deletevariety is the spice of life, and today you have plenty of it. all very interesting to me. the officers might have been an escort for a funeral. the same thing has been happening here at an alarming rate, homes are coming down on every place builders can find someone to sell to them. we are out of space to build. the city even change our building code from 8 story to 12 stories and the builder built 4 more floors on two of the 8 story apartment buildings in down town. they sent a survey out because we are in that district ward. I wrote on their did any of you think about where those people will go when they leave those buildings, we can't drive in that area now
ReplyDeleteYes, I wondered about that also, about the police officers. Goodness, that sounds worrisome regarding the building going on. Glad you were able to add your opinion to an official survey :)
DeleteIt is very sad to see homes fall into disrepair like this, but it happens everywhere, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteThanks David, you're right, it does :)
DeleteIt's cheaper to tear an old place down than to remodel.
ReplyDeleteWonder where the police were going...and love the flower!!
hugs
Donna
Thanks Donna, very true and I'm still full of questions :) Sending hugs.
DeleteWhy so many policemen? Hope there's nothing serious happened...beautiful tulips.
ReplyDeleteI don't think so Angie, at least I hope not. Tulips are so beautiful aren't they? It is always uplifting to go to the gardens :)
DeleteHello, my friend. Thank you for sharing this. I also see old, abandoned house and think about the past contained within its walls. Someone bulit that house and to them it was home. There were dinners, and holidays, and sadness and joy. Makes me slow down a bit, I guess. Have a cozy afternoon. : )
ReplyDeleteAnd hello to you too my friend :) You are very welcome! Everything you describe is what I wonder about too. Thank you, and I hope your afternoon was a cozy one also.
DeleteHi Denise! I love taking picture of broken down homes. Though sad how the homes got that way.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both Ivy. Even as far gone as they are, I still see the beauty in them :)
DeleteI often wonder about the stories of such homes. Sometimes it is best to rebuild.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. If they are too far gone it would be very hard to redo them. Thanks Jenn :)
DeleteWe have an old barn we are keeping our eye on to see when it collapses. The lean is real. :) Happy Thursday!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I hope you take photos of it to share with us Ellen :) I am so late answering comments, so I'll say Happy Monday to you ;)
DeleteIt does make you a bit sad - if not wistful - when you see old houses. Once someone's home. I hope they were places of warm, happy times. Let's hope it isn't replaced with another Wawa!! Sigh.
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer, that's a nice though. That's my hope also :) We've got a lot of Waw'a's around here also.
DeleteDenise the exact thing is happening here, especially close to downtown. They current theme is multiuse structures replacing all torn down. Parking deck, shops then either condos or apt next 5 or 6 floors.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the motorcycle police my first thought was CHiPs...the TV show. I liked that tv show
Beautiful blooms
Hugs Cecilia
I know, this is happening everywhere isn't it? I know what you mean, I watched that show too and thoroughly enjoyed it :) Thank you Cecelia! Hugs from me too. Glad you liked the blooms.
DeleteSad that homes disappear so easily and all the history that goes with them. I wish I could track down the history of our house, if only walls could talk. We do know it is over 200 years old as it is on Napoleon's map, Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful that you are living in such an old house Diane, and a fascinating detail about Napoleon. Thanks for sharing and cheers!
DeleteI agree with some of the others, it is sad when the homes turn into lost houses. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the kind words and support during my recent health challenges, I appreciate it so very much!
ReplyDeleteHello there, you are very welcome and I am so glad you are home and recovering. I hope it won't be long before you are 100 percent! :)
DeleteTime goes by and there are changes.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, thank you Christine :)
DeleteI always feel a little wistful seeing old abandoned homes. Yes, once they were new and fresh and somebody's dream.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put Penelope, thank you :)
DeleteI take a lot of pix from the car and call them my drive-by shootings. Getting Rick to stop would be a challenge but they usually turn out adequately! It is a little sad seeing abandoned homes. As you said, it was once someone's dream.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed! I do a lot of drive-bys Jeanie :) A lot of the time it's hard to stop as there is nowhere to pull over safely and the traffic can be very busy.
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