Looking out my window on an overcast, cold February day, I want the flowers back…
I WANT TO look out my window and see flowers and trees.
Ten years ago, the contractor who built Chestnut Square apartments in West Chester, PA did a lousy job. The water shields on all the walls on the interior courtyard were either not up to par or installed incorrectly. Same with some on the street-side apartments. As a result, several units have seen water come in during heavy rains. In the case of one my neighbors, standing water.
There were complaints, patches but finally it became obvious this was serious and so began a major reconstruction project. Last Spring, starting in March, crews tore down four stories of balconies and patios at one end of the courtyard and strip off all the siding. They worked until the end of June when managed gave in to resident complaints and stopped the work, allowing the swimming pool, grills and fire pit areas to be accessed until Sept. 30.
Then, it all began again, this time on my end of the courtyard. I moved all my patio furniture, flower boxes into my small one-bedroom unit and settled in for months of non-stop noise from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday.
It is necessary. The logical, thinking part of my brain accepts that but the noise has made living in my apartment during the day, well, let’s just say unpleasant.
This weekend, though, I was standing in my bedroom looking out the window and realized it’s not just noise. Our courtyards are well-landscaped. Outside my unit I have a couple of trees, several bushes and perennial plantings, augmented come warm weather by annuals.
But, this gray February day, there was none of that. Snow was still piled high. That’s normal for winter. But the now-darkening snow was covered with construction litter. This crew may do good work but it is not particularly neat. There is no policing of the area.
The landscape is stark, almost brutal. As I look out over it I wonder what kind of damage may have been done to the trees, to the perennials. I am hoping somewhere in the budget is the restoration of it all.
I had forgotten how relaxing it can be to lay eyes on beauty, on nature. We live through our senses and I want quiet for my ears and restful beauty for my eyes.
Someday….someday….in the meantime I will keep the curtains drawn.
Rich Heiland is a retired journalist and semi-retired consultant, trainer and public speaker. During his journalism career he was a reporter, editor, publisher, college instructor, part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team and a National Newspaper Association Columnist of the Year honoree. He lives in West Chester, PA and can be reached at [email protected].