This is one of the columns I write each week in my local paper. You see we are just seeing green grass in this area of Canada.

Today I am not just speaking about ReDesigning to sell but also to ReDesigning to dwell and also ReDesigning to LIVE.

This time of year the yards and houses look dreadful, brown grass if you have any left at all, muddy driveways, bushes bent and broken from the weight of all the snow we got over the winter, garbage has blown around properties from a mile away it seems.

Hopefully a few early bulbs will be bursting through the ground to give us a splash of color and renew out hope that summer is coming.

I am far from being a clean freak, although I must admit I am a bit fussy about some things. Today after a drive around a few streets I couldn’t believe my eyes; some still have Christmas wreaths up and blow up decorations flat on the lawn. This is SPRING,,,,,please take some pride in your own surroundings and be glad that you can enjoy them.

On a good note, I also spotted three adults walking down the street picking up garbage from under shrubs and along the sidewalk and looking for a garbage can to put the articles in. They need to be commended. Next time you take a walk, take a plastic bag and do your part too.

We talk about wanting tourists to stay and spend time and money in the area, then we have to make it look like we actually mean it.

Prepare your yards as if you have a very important guest arriving. Plants flowers and shrubs, rake, mow, clear a path to your front door and paint it. You wouldn’t want someone falling over the old toys or tripping on a pet rope. Let’s make our area look like we care.

I enjoying walking in town along our streets and, its not just personal property that’s in need of care, the Town fathers also need to be more diligent in looking after the property they are responsible for as well.

Empty lots along the main streets need to be cleaned of garbage and kept mowed. It is all about presentation, if the town can’t see clear to doing these jobs then maybe they can be auctioned off to groups to keep tidy. Donations can be given to the groups when the job is finished and looking well kept. The greater amount of tourists follow the route to the border crossings, can we begin there and see what a difference we can make?

If you own a business along this route maybe a fresh coat of paint and a few flowers would make us look like a town interested in people staying with us to visit or at the very least it should say “Hello, We Love Visitors!” The flowers the town uses in the hanging planters each summer are beautiful and stand out, this has been well done.

Clerks and owners in stores should be smiling and show they want the business. Nothing is nicer that a smile and to be asked if you need assistance.

I hear so much moaning about business leaving and empty buildings and I know traffic is terrible during summer months, but if you have ever traveled Route 1 in Maine along the coast through the small towns, traffic there is terrible too, but its well painted and people are everywhere.

What we think about it what we attract to us! Think more positively, research ideas for attracting visitors to our area, make plans and agree on making POSITIVE things happen. It is about attitude and how we make our people want to be proud of where we live. I was in a store the other day and someone walked by speaking happily to everyone she met. A person behind me said something about there being something wrong with anyone being so happy to be living in St. Stephen. I had to respond, and said I love living here and found people very friendly and accepting. He then told me there was nothing here. Again, I said then you have never lived where there really is nothing. He quietly agreed. It is ALL about attitude; yours and mine.

Please consider what you think about and why you attract persons or situations to your life.

Prepare for a beautiful spring in your surroundings and in your mind. Plant, paint, clean, and above all smile, we have so much for which to be thankful.