Dear Blog,
Let me just tell you about the delightful scene I witnessed on the way home last week.
I'm walking down P. Street just nearing a corner where there's a house set back a little with a sloping yard. Coming toward me on the other side of the street is a middle aged couple with a young boy. He's maybe 5, they're maybe in their 50s. I'm thinking this is a grandparent-type outing. The boy is walking between them, and they're all holding hands, talking, and laughing. A happy family scene.
They stop for a moment on the corner while the boy whispers something in the man's ear. The adults look at each other and around. They must see me, although there's no eye contact. Then, all three still holding hands, they pivot to face the house with the sloping yard and pull down the boy's pants until his buttocks are exposed to the street. I hear the sprinkle of urine hitting the dry grass. A happy family scene.
That's all for now, Blog.
Showing posts with label local. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
On Emptiness
Dear Blog,
I was just thinking about how very lucky we are here in Roslindale. Within spitting distance of each other, right in our little shopping district, one can find many of life's essentials, bread, cheese, wine, sausages, pastry, and, on a very good day, even fairly fresh vegetables at Village Market (if you're willing to face the surly checkout automatons; would a little eye contact be so hard). Not to mention the flowers, books, pet supplies, and bulk spices.
And yet, Blog, every day on my way to and from the commuter rail station, I feel a little pinch in my chest as I pass by all the empty storefronts. There are far too many of them for my taste, and many with the same "For Lease" signs in the windows. I have hopeful moments of anticipation when I see properties being renovated, because I assume this means they've been rented. Alas, this not the case with the most recent renovations. But why? Is it that the economy is bad, and there aren't enough people with the entrepreneurial spirit to go around? Or is there something that prohibits people from renting these particular properties?
These long-empty storefronts make me worry about the health of our beloved Roslindale. Will people want to move into the neighborhood if it looks like the business district isn't healthy? And what will make the more lasting impression, the wonderful, thriving businesses that are, or the empty spaces of business that could be? As an observer of neighborhoods, I can say that when I see four or five empty storefronts in a two block area, even ones with freshly painted walls and newly sanded floors, I think, "Oh, there's somethings wrong here. Why don't people want to open businesses in this neighborhood?"
The Rambler will be making make further posts On Emptiness. Perhaps some of our readers will share their feelings on emptiness with us.
That's all for now, Blog.
I was just thinking about how very lucky we are here in Roslindale. Within spitting distance of each other, right in our little shopping district, one can find many of life's essentials, bread, cheese, wine, sausages, pastry, and, on a very good day, even fairly fresh vegetables at Village Market (if you're willing to face the surly checkout automatons; would a little eye contact be so hard). Not to mention the flowers, books, pet supplies, and bulk spices.
And yet, Blog, every day on my way to and from the commuter rail station, I feel a little pinch in my chest as I pass by all the empty storefronts. There are far too many of them for my taste, and many with the same "For Lease" signs in the windows. I have hopeful moments of anticipation when I see properties being renovated, because I assume this means they've been rented. Alas, this not the case with the most recent renovations. But why? Is it that the economy is bad, and there aren't enough people with the entrepreneurial spirit to go around? Or is there something that prohibits people from renting these particular properties?
These long-empty storefronts make me worry about the health of our beloved Roslindale. Will people want to move into the neighborhood if it looks like the business district isn't healthy? And what will make the more lasting impression, the wonderful, thriving businesses that are, or the empty spaces of business that could be? As an observer of neighborhoods, I can say that when I see four or five empty storefronts in a two block area, even ones with freshly painted walls and newly sanded floors, I think, "Oh, there's somethings wrong here. Why don't people want to open businesses in this neighborhood?"
The Rambler will be making make further posts On Emptiness. Perhaps some of our readers will share their feelings on emptiness with us.
That's all for now, Blog.
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