I’m rushing this post a bit, because we didn’t move into our new home until almost the end of July last year. But we are in the middle of warranty checks on the house (the builder provided a one-year warranty), so I’m thinking about all the changes we’ve seen over the past year.
Who could have anticipated we would be in a pandemic as of July 2019? But that isn’t the change I’m thinking about. Instead, I’m reflecting on the changes in our neighborhood.
We were the first people to move into our cul-de-sac. Now, there are seven houses occupied. It’s hard to get to know neighbors when we’re all social distancing. Some neighbors we’ve chatted with across the street, and a few we’ve only waved at. I don’t even know all their names.
When the people across the street moved in during March in the early weeks of the pandemic, their dog came to greet us. One of the adults in the household followed the dog. As we introduced ourselves, the man offered me his hand, and I shook it without thinking about COVID-19 risks. His was the last hand I shook.
I recently delivered a package mistakenly left at our house to one family, and we recommended our lawn-mowing service to another. Thus, some normal neighborly functions continue, and I’ve been keeping track of the neighbors’ names as I learn them. I’m hoping that someday we’ll be able to socialize together. Meanwhile, the dogs in the neighborhood continue to ignore the pandemic.
In addition to the seven occupied homes, another house on the cul-de-sac sold last month, another is being built for a homeowner, and a spec house is under construction, waiting someone to love it. A couple more houses are now assigned to builders.
I’m happy for the continued construction, though it has its pros and cons. One advantage is that with sodded yards on both sides of us now, I’m hoping there will be less dust on our deck and and trash in our grass.
Before the lot next door was sodded 
After the lot next door was sodded
A disadvantage is that we’ve lost our 210 degree view of the sky, and we’re down to a 180 degree view. We can’t see the sunsets as well this summer, because the sun goes down behind the house next door. But we still see much of the dimming colors, and the sunrises are fantastic (if we’re up that early).
Sunset before the house next door went in 
Sunset after the house next door went in
There are still a few lots left on our cul-de-sac, so we will have construction noise and trash for another year or so. Meanwhile, I pick wildflowers off the vacant lots to add to our garden blooms.
Once our cul-de-sac is finished, the developer will move on to the next phase of the subdivision. The streets for that next phase are already being carved out of the hayfield. It’s a few blocks from us, so when the builders move there, we should have peace and serenity as we sit on our deck.
Perhaps we’ll see more of the animals. We’ve seen deer many times, but they seem to be visible less often than last autumn. But we have seen fawns this summer, so another generation of wildlife will entertain us in the future.
I also notice fewer killdeer in the evenings this year than last summer. Still, the changes in the terrain from all the construction have brought out other fauna—a dinner-plate-sized turtle moseyed through our yard a few weeks back, and I’m learning to recognize orioles and bluebirds as well as robins and killdeer.
Despite all the changes, the sky and the trees remain calming. I grew up in a town with expansive views of the sky, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed seeing the weather roll in during all my years in Kansas City’s overgrown subdivisions. Not to mention during all those same years when I worked in a windowless office.
Now, not only do we have the sky to watch, but there are golfers. The human species is even more amusing than the fawns and birds.
As for the warranty repairs? Those are minor. We will have a parade of contractors through our home over the next few weeks. But I’d rather the builder be responsible for the work now than that we have to handle it later. Those joys of home ownership will come soon enough.
Is anything changing in your neighborhood?
I miss seeing killdeer. We had them where I grew up in north central Missouri, it it has been years and years since I’ve seen one. They’re such funny birds. I’m happy for you that you have bluebirds.
I’d never seen killdeer (at least, not to notice) before we moved into this house. They sound and move just like the sandpipers I’ve always liked on beaches.