Progress for Progress' Sake?
So, they've begun the destruction of our view out the back yard to build 32 condominum units...all the neighbors of the area have been heavily involved in this process, as we didn't really want them developing the land behind us, but it was of no use to fight it. We all got a great education in PUDs and what the city can and cannot allow... [roll eyes]
Anyway, the beginning of June saw trucks moving into the area, and one Monday I came home to find this:
Now, it's a little hard to get a full picture of what they did, since you're not here, but Chip took a picture of part of the lane they drove down beforehand, and most all of the trees in this picture are now gone. The ones on the right are on our property line:
You might be thinking, 'eh, they develop land all the time, what's the big deal?' or 'you tree-hugger!' Okay, maybe not, but I've been reading Firestorm at Peshtigo (Denise Gess). For those of you who don't know the story of the Peshtigo fire, it happened the same time as the great Chicago fire, but was much greater in terms of damage. Visit their website to get the whole story. It also includes pictures of forests that have been reduced to stumps, much like the pictures of our back view these days...
If you like historical stuff, this is a great book to get the complete picture of what happened and how the logging industry and greedy people led the whole area to its near demise. I've not been to Peshtigo myself, but would some day like to visit the museum there. Beverly Butler wrote a story about this event as well--My Sister's Keeper--which I read in middle school and met the author!
So, they've begun the destruction of our view out the back yard to build 32 condominum units...all the neighbors of the area have been heavily involved in this process, as we didn't really want them developing the land behind us, but it was of no use to fight it. We all got a great education in PUDs and what the city can and cannot allow... [roll eyes]
Anyway, the beginning of June saw trucks moving into the area, and one Monday I came home to find this:
Now, it's a little hard to get a full picture of what they did, since you're not here, but Chip took a picture of part of the lane they drove down beforehand, and most all of the trees in this picture are now gone. The ones on the right are on our property line:
You might be thinking, 'eh, they develop land all the time, what's the big deal?' or 'you tree-hugger!' Okay, maybe not, but I've been reading Firestorm at Peshtigo (Denise Gess). For those of you who don't know the story of the Peshtigo fire, it happened the same time as the great Chicago fire, but was much greater in terms of damage. Visit their website to get the whole story. It also includes pictures of forests that have been reduced to stumps, much like the pictures of our back view these days...
If you like historical stuff, this is a great book to get the complete picture of what happened and how the logging industry and greedy people led the whole area to its near demise. I've not been to Peshtigo myself, but would some day like to visit the museum there. Beverly Butler wrote a story about this event as well--My Sister's Keeper--which I read in middle school and met the author!
I'll try to keep you updated in the comments section...
Book recommendation: Wicked by Gregory Maguire (the prestory of the Wicked Witch of the West) (this is an adult book!)
Product recommendation: Black Cherry Cream Soda from the Point brewery (available in Wisconsin)
Recipe recommendation: Chocolate Lava Muffins (Carissa shared this one with me!)
7 comments:
Yay for chocolate lava muffins!!
rolling your eyes can be dangerous. be cautious when partaking in the activity. beware the "eyes" of march. HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Bah...Chip and I took a walk last night (Aug 30) and cut through the condo development (which has been getting sewer these past few weeks) and noticed they cut down MORE trees! *sigh* It's so depressing.
The only construction so far, though, is the house on the corner. It'll be the first thing you see when you enter the develoment.
More 'progress': they've started working on the retaining wall (Oct 11) that butts up right on our property line...well, almost right against. They had told us they would plant some pine trees on their property as a bit of a buffer as well, but there's only 5 feet of space between where they've put the wall foundation and our property line...
And, more trees are gone.
Well, they're paving today. Now we'll have a nice, blacktop surface to gaze at each evening and morning when we look out our windows to the backyard. :S
how many friends named carissa do you have?
Well, I officially know three, but know *of* several more...
My sister, Charissa from church and you, the librarian!
Post a Comment