On Friday I received a note on my front door. It was computer printed and said, "Neighborhood yard sale, Saturday September 9th, call Sue and let her know if you're going to be participating".
Sue is the neighbor directly across the street from me. We're both corner houses. Her house is a light blue, vynal sided cape with a small driveway on one side and a garage on the other. Sue, and her husband Bill, have lived in their house for over 25 years. Last year they put in a new fence, one of those white plastic privacy fences. They had been saving for a long time for that fence and was finally able to afford it last year. They've done improvements to their property over the years, removed the front lawn and added a maintenance-free rock garden, for example. (Picture That 70's Show meets the Sears catalog) Every year Sue organizes the neighborhood yard sale. I've only lived here three years so I don't know what her typical turnout was but since I've been there only three families regularly participate. Sue is very stern. When she asks you to participate, you know she will not take no for an answer. My husband promised her he'd put out a stove we've been wanting to get rid of.
When I sit on my front porch I can see the house beside hers, and the reason she wanted the privacy fence. It's a white, 1600 sq ft colonial that is badly in need of a roof. It was built around 1920 and has a fairly large back yard, great for kids. It's empty now with kid's toys still in the yard and overgrown weeds on the front lawn, which, until recently, looked very out of place in this neighborhood of perfectly manicured lawns. The family that lived there lost the house to foreclosure. They had been there 5 years. I don't know the story, but they moved out quickly and let the bank take it. It had a few showings but in over a year, but it hasn't sold yet.
Two doors down on my side of the street the house sold last year. The guy put on a new roof, painted the outside, then lo and behold, up went a for sale sign. It sold very quickly. We hardly had time to get to know the new neighbors and the for sale sign is backup. This time it's by owner and so far I haven't seen it show. Maybe it happens when I'm not looking.
To the left of me, across the street, directly across from Sue is a cute as a button two family ranch. It's white with red shutters and it's always decorated for whatever holiday that's coming. They bought land a few months ago and they're building a new house. They are one of the three families that holds a yard sale.
Next door to them, and directly across from me, the family had a yard sale last weekend. I stopped in to see what they had and the house was empty. They didn't even put up a for sale sign. They close this week and the new family should be moving in while the neighborhood yard sale is going on. I heard it's a young couple with a baby. I should have suspected when the new roof went in last month.
Beside me, to my right was an older brother and sister. They've lived in their house since before anyone can remember. Their house is a 1700 sq ft colonial with a walk up, full attic, full basement and a fireplace. The house may have sold in the 1950s because the woodwork is painted white. It's mirror image to mine but my woodwork is natural cherry and oak. The sister next door was always very sick but the brother was strong and tanned and very well built for a man in his 70's. As it always happens with men, they go quickly. We knew it when the new roof began going up. The man used to take care of his yard every day. I can't imagine what he'd think if he could see how tall and overgrown his hedges are now.
The one family that isn't leaving anytime soon is the family that thinks they live on a farm. They said they aren't leaving no matter how many neighbors call the Board of Health on them. And they're glad to see everyone go.
I saw an old picture in the library of the neighborhood. There was a huge farmhouse with a carriage house where my house is and no other houses around. The house caught fire and was burned to the ground. My house and the house next door was built in 1900 to replace the farmhouse. All the other houses were added later.
Maybe people back then didn't like to see the new houses come up as much as I think Sue doesn't like to see the old people go. We'll put our stove out on Saturday, maybe some of the kids old things. This will be our 4th yard sale in our house. I might put a little extra effort into it, for Sue.
My roof will be up in a month or two. No, I'm not moving. I just really, really need a new roof.
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