Investing in the Future

When I see a neighborhood turn a little ragged or worn, I feel the lack of investment by the homeowners. This is not a criticism. It is an observation that the owner(s) are allowing their home to seem a little down and out. A little sprucing up from time to time makes a big difference.

Maybe it is edging the lawn, or planting grass seed in bare spots. Or maybe it is painting the shutters that are flaking paint. Or raking winter debris from the yard. Sweeping the porch and driveway?

When spring arrives, will plants be apparent in the garden? Or a hanging basket of fresh blooms appear on the porch railing? Will windows be washed along with a good wash of the exterior walls?

These efforts don’t cost anything but effort. Maybe a little spent on paint, but not a lot unless the whole house needs a paint job. Then that adds a lot of cost!

Neat and tidy appearances of a neighborhood mean a lot of care and pride has been invested in the homes. That is a symbol that the area is alive and well, too. Drive through several neighborhoods and compare what you see. Some are bright and spiffy while others are drab and tattered. Are the latter areas struggling with living costs? Are they part of the disappearing middle class?

We do not know that without knowing much more about the people who live in the neighborhood. Maybe they are too busy to invest the effort to spruce up their property. Or maybe they are ill and can’t do such work. But an entire neighborhood? How is that likely?

Much more likely is an attitude of ‘why bother’. Or maybe it is just a case of procrastination. Both attitudes are contagious and have an affect on other people. With them – the attitudes – neighborhood appearance declines. Along with that goes pride, sliding down a slippery slope.

One of the things I like about spring is the brightened attitudes most of us have. We tend to get outdoors and sweep the porch, walks, driveways and steps. Next are the rakes and lawnmowers that make the first seasonal attack on the yard. Those efforts give cause to locate the bare spots in need of grass seed. Next are fresh plantings planned for gardens and foundation plantings.

As one property brightens up, others catch the spirit and families are soon outdoors talking with one another as they do yardwork. Soon the hoses are brought out and winter’s dirt is washed from windows, eaves and walls. Will scrubbed windows be far behind?

Little ways we recapture our living environment. Finding pride in ownership and home is part and parcel of spring. It is a season of recovery from the winter blahs. Maybe that was the root of our lowly attitude all along? Who knows? All we know for now is things are looking up.

Maybe we will paint the house this year! Or add shutters and flower boxes? That would be nice!

March 7, 2018