Thursday, May 15, 2014

The Old Green Gate

Every morning I take a walk through our neighbourhood.  It's not a very interesting neighbourhood, and it's trapped on three sides by major roads/highways, so I don't often venture past those roads.  Within these boundaries there is a road called Powell Road.  Where I grew up the name Powell was quite prominent in the area.  There was a family owned horse farm just up the road from my home, and there were a couple of generations of Powells living on the farm.  So when I moved to this town, the name Powell struck a chord with me, and I liked walking along the road because there were no sidewalks on that road, just a gravel shoulder and a ditch.  It reminded me of walking along the country roads where I grew up, and I missed those roads (and still do). 
Many of the houses along Powell Road were once small bungalows, some quite old.  They too reminded me of days gone by when big families lived in small quarters.  You made do.  You shared bedrooms.  I always shared a bedroom until one of my sisters moved out.  Sadly, most of these little bungalows are being replaced by large modern homes.  People move in, tear down the bungalow, rip up ancient trees, build a house that barely fits on the lot, and then a year or two later, move out again.  After living here 19 years, there are only a few of the original bungalows left.  There's nothing really spectacular about them, they just elicit a sort of warmth and honesty about them. 


This old gate is the entrance to the backyard of one such bungalow.  The yard is bordered by a tall cedar hedge, and you can't see anything in the backyard.  The house sits on a corner, and the gate is on the side of the yard.  I just love the look of it.  It takes me back to when I was very small when this sort of gate was often seen.  Nothing fancy, but it did the job.  The kids could get a bit of money if they painted their dad's fence or gate.  "Paint the fence, and I'll give you a nickel for every board you paint". 
It doesn't look like this gate has been opened in quite a few years.  Even though it's a tall gate, it doesn't seem to be saying "Keep Out" ... its time-softened weathering seems to say "remember when".

Thanks for stopping by
Wendy


http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.ca/2014/05/good-fences-8.html

30 comments:

  1. Very nostalgic. Lovely thought and memories. I much prefer that a place retain some of the old charm of days gone by. Such a shame when folks want to erase all that. Here, they build so far out into their lot, that there's not even room for parking. So a two-lane road all of a sudden becomes one where you can only drive down the middle. Very, very aggravating and I don't quite get it. To me, bigger is definitely not better. Have a wonderful day. Tammy

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  2. Ah.... This post struck a real chord with me. I long for those days too. Hence why we live in our split as most of my friends upgrade to big houses. How right are you about those homes evoking a sense of honesty and warmth. Tear downs as we call them are all around. I hope they never make their way into our neighborhood that fence is gorgeous..... Here is to the past and the beauty that came with that. Glad to know others feel the same way. Take care friend...Nicole xo

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  3. A nostalgic post! I agree with what you say though. Like most of my childhood friends I moved away from the area I grew up but moved back to raise a family. Some of the original houses have changed from all recognition & not for any benefit! I was most dismayed to notice a favourite tree for climbing as a child had had most of its branches removed!

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  4. I agree, a nostalgic post! What a beautiful old gate!

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  5. how beautiful! full of memories of simpler times. :)

    thank you for linking up, wendy!

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  6. Such a beautiful old weather gate that if it could speak would have a lot to tell.

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  7. This makes me feel quite sad....the McMansion seems to be taking over everywhere.
    Jane x

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  8. The green gate is awesome and probably holds many secrets from the past. We've finding in our area too that small cottages are being torn down and huge, modern homes are being built.This is what happened to my parent's' home, and the new house has little of their beautiful yard left.

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    1. It's hard to watch the changes to our beloved spots. I haven't driven past my old home for a year or more as I'm afraid of what I might find. I don't think there were plans to tear down the house, but I noticed an application to add a pond to the field ... even that hurt because the little creek that runs beside the field would be feeding yet another "estate pond". I don't think there's much water left in that creek now.

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  9. Hey there Wendy, I have just nominated you for the Liebster Award. I hope you dont mind :) Check out my latest post for more details http://handmadeandoffcentered.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-liebster-award.html

    Birgitta xx

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    1. So sorry Wendy, after posting this comment I took notice of your "award free" sticker. Just ignore my comment above.

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  10. I really enjoyed hearing about your walks, and the old neighborhood. What stories those streets and houses hold! Amazing large gate too, it's lovely and quite quaint as well.

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  11. I love the "remember when's". I enjoyed this post and your gate photo! Visiting from Good Fences. ~Cheryl

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  12. A beautiful gate and hedge. Nice memories. Bungalows are one of my favorite types of houses.

    Thanks for your visit and comment on my fences.

    ~Lindy

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  13. An awesome gate bordered by a nice privacy hedge! Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. I always appreciate it when folks do that - And I'm going to sign on to follow you as well!

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  14. Great post on good memories of sweet times.. Lovely shot! Have a happy weekend!

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  15. It is sad when these houses are taken down and multiples or very large ones built in their place as it really changes the character of an area doesn't it. It is a very common thing to happen where we live. Lovely to see that old gate though, it looks as though it has been there for 100 years! xx

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  16. As always another lovely post,Wendy !!, ..enjoyed a lot.
    have a wonderful Victoria Day weekend...

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  17. It would be fun to see what's behind that gate...I dare you to open it! :)

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  18. Even the word bungalow sounds homey!

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  19. I hear you !!! It's so sad when the character of an area is ruined but so nice that a few treasures are left behind ...like these gates ....
    Gail x

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  20. That's a beautiful gate. I love that it's still there to ponder and enjoy. Gates and doors are fascinating to me. I actually have a Pinterest board for them because I love looking at them so much.

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  21. Such a beautiful old gate; they fascinate me, too. Have a great Victoria Day weekend!

    Blessings,

    Victoria

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  22. Beautifully weathered gate. What a great find.

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  23. Hello Lovely Wendy, the same thing is happening here. We had something similar only last year a tiny little cottage which has now been replaced by a modern monster. I can understand people wanting more space but this little home had a huge garden with lots of different things in it - all gone now to be replaced by modern paving and patios - it is sad and I think we have maybe thrown too many of the old ways out in favour of new things. Sometimes not everything new is better but maybe I am showing my age! Lovely to read your post as always Wendy, it is always a delightful to come and visit you. Have a fabulous weekend. Big hugs to you
    Dorothyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  24. beautiful old gate...

    this is a quick comment, as i am catching up with blogs, after our trip to our "grand's" graduation from university.

    gentle hugs,
    tessa~

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  25. the gate photo is beautiful!! So simple yet so lovely. :)

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  26. I love this-looks like a painting

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  27. A lovely post, Wendy, and I know exactly what you mean. I live in a tiny house, and for several years have looked for another tiny house but with more land (for the goats, you know). I could not find a single one, although they *must* be out there somewhere, right? If there was a tiny house, the land around it had been cut up into minimum-acreage parcels. If there was land, it either had a huge old farmhouse (which I could not afford to save, even if I would like to, which I really wouldn't because I only need a tiny house) or the original old tiny house had been torn down to make the land easier to sell. It always makes me sad to see tiny old houses torn down...I don't think I'm the only person who doesn't want more walls and roof than she really needs.
    Thanks for writing about this better than I ever have!

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  28. I dislike tearing down old to erect new. It saddens me. I love it when an old house or building is given new life. I'm glad I won't be alive when all of the farmland is housing developments. Something about old says charm and character. Lots of history. I love the green gate. Makes you imagine what is on the other side.

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