Friday, March 15, 2013

LAND USE INTEGRITY?

Mr. Lamb

Mr Lamb was full of stories about his place in Madison County. He had lived almost his entire life in the same place. He could tell you how he rode to school on a horse, he could name all the wildlife that visited his place in the holler -- he was full of local history and enjoyed talking to you about it. He always had a welcome smile when I stopped for a short chat on his sittin" porch in warm seasons. He recently passed away -- he was in his late 70s.


Welcome gate to his comfortable sittin' porch
(Above photo taken when Mr Lamb lived on the property.)  

I wrote a couple posts about his birds and squirrels and you can find them here and here.

One of his large sugar maples
 with squirrel feeders and squirrel house.
(Above Photo taken when Mr Lamb lived on the property.) 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Now the property has been sold and it is quickly changing. All the beautiful old maples have been topped off in an ugly fashion. The old house appears to be in the process of change with builders and trucks swarming around it. 



Here is one of the topped off maple trees with a squirrel house still hanging on -- I'm sure it's wondering what is happening and I am sure the squirrels have headed for the back woods along with other  wildlife


Here is the back of the property showing signs of a new building -- perhaps a new house. The yard has now become one big mud pie. The smoke is from a large brush pile in front of a newly erected foundation. 

This is what is happening everywhere in our country. One minute you have  a nice old house and land and within a couple months it is sold to a developer and new ideas march in -- tearing and turning everything upside down. 

If only  new changes could be done with sensitivity and integrity -- to the land, to the wildlife, to the plants, to the buildings, I think we would be more forgiving of developers? 

13 comments:

  1. I've been out taking some pics of old barns/homes and noticed the same things happening around here. A shame...

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    1. turquoisemoon -- Unfortunately it is happening all over. Is it the new values and ethics of our country that make it OK? -- thanks for stopping -- barbara

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  2. Our area lacks sensitivity as well. Many, many times wonderful large farms are sold and then divided up into tracts. Then, many are filled with trailers, that are rarely taken care of. Sad to see.

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    1. Michelle -- I have seen this unfortunate insensitivity happening in places all across the country. Oregon seems to be the only state that I know of that has tight regulations on land development. At least when I lived there in the 90s. Large tracts are almost never broken up. -- thanks -- barbara

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  3. It's too bad. Things will change, but this can be done with care.

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    1. Hattie -- I think we are on a slippery slope in this country. -- barbara

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  4. The world would be a better place if we all could ride a horse to school.......

    Blessings, Mr. Lamb.........

    Mimi
    The Goat Borrower

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    1. Mimi -- Good comment! I agree -- we would be in a better place if we all rode our horse to school. thanks -- barbara

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  5. Developers would claim they're only trying to make living and that they're building what people want ... sorry, I can't really forgive them for ignorance and insensitivity. Yes, people want affordable housing but I think they also recognize the beauty of old trees and the integrity of community.

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    1. June -- Oh yes that old excuse of just trying to make a living. How about making a living in an ethical fashion. Just making a living needs to be defined by those that make such a statement. thanks -- barbara

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  6. Mr. Lamb looked like the type of man that you could spend the afternoon with. He looks like the type of man that spent more time outside than in. I would like a world with a lot more Mr. Lambs and a lot less of the developing type.

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    1. Mr Lamb was a very affable person that had lots of tales to tell you if you took the time to chat with him. He will be missed. -- thank -- barbara

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  7. A squirrel house is new to me. Thank you for sharing the idea and photo. Nature Weaver Gypsy

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