Knocking down shrubberies

Yesterday (Thursday, 9/15/05) the bulldozer/scoop machine fellow that Gye Greene and The Lady hired came to the lot next door and took away much of the shrubbery that covers the lot where the house will eventually go. (GG says the fellow charged $85/hour -- which seems reasonable.) Below are some ''before'' and ''after'' shots that I took.

This is standing in the front ''pasture'' area, looking towardsd the road, but a little to the right.

This is a similar view, although I was standing a little bit forwards. You can somewhat see the road in this shot.

This is standing in front of the Old Homestead, looking at the front lawn of the house next door.

This is afterwards. Note that the other house is much more visible. Gye Greene and The Lady will eventually plant some trees along the fenceline.

Much of the dirt is from the bulldozer/scoopy machine's treads.

This is the ''before'' shot of the end of the Old Homestead -- the opposite end to the front door. My right shoulder is to the road, and the neighbor's house (from the above photo) is behind me.

This is the ''after'' shot. There used to be concrete troughs lying on the ground -- or rather, embedded in the ground -- lying in front. (Or actually, off to the side.)

This is the ''before'' shot of the Old Homestead. It is the side of the building, but it faces the road. The front door is on the end that is to the right.

And -- this is the ''after'' shot. The strange, catcus-like plant is still growing across the top, but the shrubbery across the front is gone.

It all looks a bit like a bomb blast. Of course, the grass that was chewed up by the tractor treads doesn't help the appearance. Eventually, the grass will grow back.

It's all rather shocking -- probably because it all happened in the space of a morning. I suppose I shall get used to it.

And eventually (new estimate: May 2006) there will be a house where the Old Homestead now sits.

--TG