Five Kinds of Lilacs

Get ready for another "I Love My City" rant. Seven years ago this month, I fell in love with my little spot on the planet. I was teaching in Traverse and staying at the Sleep Inn. I got my bike out of the back of my van and headed for the TART trail. I went through the woods and got to the top of the hill. I looked to the west and the moon was just saying goodbye to the starry night. The dawn was just begining to cast its glow on the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay. It was spectacular. I paused for a moment to take it in and was overcome by the headiest perfume imaginable. Wow, five kinds of lilacs, flowering quince, autumn olive and redbud tree were all celebrating the morning. I was transported. I glanced down and what to my wondering eyes did appear but a "For Sale" sign. Oh my, could it be? I glanced at the wee house through the brush and it was pretty ugly. But, five kinds of lilacs. So much for the bicycle ride. I went back to the hotel and got on my computer. I could not find the listing. At 8:00 AM I called the listing office and it was brand new on the market. At 10:00 AM, I had my bank fax me a letter of qualification and I wrote an offer, contingent upon inspection. I made an appointment to view it that evening. As I walked up to the house, I saw it hadn't been painted in about 30 years. It was cement with a flat roof and the yard was a mess. But, five kinds of lilacs. My last husband was my inspector. He found eight pages of defects. To which I responded, "So."

This has become my home. Since I bought it, I discovered it is a Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian. I have been working on bringing it back to where it once was. I just got back from a bike ride on the TART trail which adjoins my back yard. Life is good on my little piece of real estate in Traverse City, Michigan.