I’m not taking this crape anymore!
New Ruralism, beauty, books, landscaping
Drama last week: some punk kid — probably the same cursed one who litters — vandalized my rose bushes. Specifically: broke the stake, and threw the roses away (poor things!). One word: pissed.
While quick to anger, I was quick to chill out and get some perspective. (”We’re in the middle of war, and you get this angry about roses?” was the exact comment).
So: I decided to bunker down and talk strategy with the troops. Or, rather, Brian, as I still don’t know how to drive stick and wanted him to take me to get a replacement. Of which there were none of the “Bridal Sunburst” variety (season over).
Instead, we settled on a taller-than-it-appears-here crape myrtle. (P.S. Nature Newbies: it’s pronounced “crepe”, not “crap-eh” as I thought). Crap-eh?
So anyway… I’ll fill that hole next season. It’s a lovely tree. It’s a dwarf variety, pink velour. Here’s a shot looking toward the corner of the yard:
We also bought two very small ceiling fans — one for each of the rooms upstairs. As mentioned, generally I prefer to shop second-hand. But in some cases you just can’t get the right thing second-hand (in this case, an energy-smart light/fan combo).
Last week I came across a sentiment I agreed with, and think could be part of how I’m defining “New Ruralism”. It was a quote from J. Peterman — yes, of the Seinfeld parody and catalog:
I want romance, but it has to be factual romance. Just because something is older does not necessarily mean it is better. (Accidental Branding: How Ordinary People Build Extraordinary Brands pg. 35)
Revelation: I’m realizing how frequently I am shopping these days. I’m constantly thinking: Does this work with the house? Is this appropriate for us? Is the older/used option always better?
Stranger still: I am actually shopping A LOT MORE! Will this experience make me more of a shopper than I was… or would want to be? I hope not.
I’m rethinking this commercial crape — do you have to be a compulsive shopper to renovate or restore a home? I’d say no. But I sure underestimated the time spent thinking the unusual: can one get a second-hand tree? How much could I afford to spend if I sold the half-buried tub in the yard?
That’s some crape to think about.
katie @ July 28, 2008
As I love to shop, (sorry, but I love to find great deals) shopping during renovations for renovations will become part of you for a while. Now shopping can come in various forms. It can take place at the local do-it-yourself store or it can take place while engaging in pleasant conversation. Try to work needs, desires, extravagancies into converstions with all you talk to. You never know what may be lurking in a shed, basement, etc. looking for a someone who needs to put it to good use again. So, before you give shopping a bad name remember it comes in many forms…..