Christmas Visit

Went by Glen Ames yesterday (Christmas Day). A day I have spent there for most of the last 43 years.

Junk was piled in the driveway from the neighbour's renovation. Garbage was strewn about and overflowing mail addressed to 'Occupant' spilled out onto the porch below. The neglect was disheartening.

A large clinical sign, hastily taped to the front door reads "Demolition Permit', yet the house still stands over 6 months later.

I stood in the backyard for a few moments. It looks no different than it would have last year at this time. The plants we removed are unnoticeable within the frost stung garden. The patio furniture gone, as it would be. The barrels sagging a little deeper, cautioning of their future demise.

Peered in through the back window and it is how we left it.

Strange, the coexisting feeling of familiarity and disconnectness.

The backyard as I left it on May 10, 2012. The night before it was sold.

The Ending

I will begin this at the ending.

Today Sue, Janet, Roger, Jed, MacDuff and I popped the last cork at the family home on Glen Ames. The house, which was supposed to close on the 30th, will be closing sometime this week. The process which brought us here has been a bit of a hell ride.

Between weaselly real estate agents, even more weaselly lawyers, a Mother determined to sell to the first low-baller and a lifetime worth of memories to pack up and in most cases throw out, a really difficult process has become at times almost unbearable. This is the story of 9 Glen Ames.

Taken on May 6th, 2012. Last day at the house.