Whenever you are creating beauty around you,
Alice Walker
you are restoring
your own soul.
Tuesday, as we didn’t see anywhere near the advertised rainfall over the weekend, I spent an hour in the front garden with the hose (yes, I can begin to call it a garden now…), offering a good soaking to all the new plantings.
I’m standing on the front porch holding a hose… I thought to myself. If this is a commentary on retirement, I could get used to this.
We are so close to being done in front of the house I can almost taste it. Gene and Robert were back yesterday with three successive loads of aggregate, the final surface prep before laying the pavers. The pavers – which we have apparently owned for several weeks – are still sitting in a supply yard in Morehead City. The vendor is waiting until he has a full truckload before he makes a speculative investment in diesel fuel for transportation!
This whole process turns out to be a telling parallel to what is happening in the historic district writ large. There is always something new that warrents attention and there are so many moving parts – but sometimes it can still appear as if there is nothing happening.
But then someone will come along who has been watching Tarboro’s ebb and flow for several years and they will tell us, “Oh yes, you have to believe it. Downtown is in a much better place today than it was five-ten years ago…”
Well I believe you. But I sure wish sometimes the wheels would turn a little faster!
I guess what we’re doing here at Maul-Hall really is part of this ongoing Big Picture Progress – making a difference not only for our block but for the entire district. When we’re done I’m going to head out with my camera and document every sign of hope that I see and tell that story as loudly as I can.
Fact is, the more we all show that we care, the more incentive there is for others to get on board.
Let’s go, Tarboro! We can do this!! – DEREK
