Our little neighborhood began in about 1960 in the heavily forested Cooper Point Peninsula north of Olympia Washington. It sits high above the much fancier waterfront neighborhood. The nine modest homes sit nestled among the 60-year-old firs, cedars, hemlocks, and Olympic maples all of which are draped in thick coats of moss. Daily visitors include deer, foxes, and a wide variety of rodents. Seven of the home share a common well which is highly prized by all of us. It is the same cold sweet water that once brewed Olympia Beer.
Most of the people who live on our lane are comprised of introverted types that choose to live in a forest. At the end of the lane is a house of renters. Evergreen state college students and a rotating group of young folks. Early in the pandemic, two of the EMTs in the house offered to serve as first responders to any of us elders who might need assistance.
The next house after a stretch of forest is Bill and Sidney. Both retired now, Bill was an independent construction contractor, and Sidney was an elementary school teacher. Sidney keeps tabs on everyone and will talk to anyone as long as they will allow it. Bill is more taciturn and retreats to the studio he built to play music with friends.
Across the street from Bill and Sidney are Tor and Jan, both teachers. Tor was the local HS football coach and taught my daughter history when she was not ditching school. Tor is also the other Norwegian on the lane, along with my partner. They enjoy sharing Norwegian traditions. Tor was on a famous University of Washington Football team back when Sonny Sixkiller was the quarterback. Jan is cheery, warm, extending, and funny. Tor and Jan are the extroverts on the lane but are almost always traveling and gone from our company. Even when home, Tor takes out his small camper into the national parks around the state.
Next, come the Browns. Steve and Barb are the only conservatives I know of in our community. During the last election when large democratic banners were flying in front of our house, the browns put up a small Trump sign. They are also some of my favorite people on the lane. We don’t talk politics. We do talk about local history. Barb brings us fresh “shitty” eggs from their kids in the country, and they both work on projects with us on the lane. Despite their dubious politics, they are concerned for everyone’s welfare, grounded and connected with all the liberals.
Stella moved into the old Abromowitz house just a few months ago. We have yet to know each other long enough to tell any stories. The Abromowitz family has since moved on to that great kibbutz in the sky. They were pre-Stalin era communists and brought a general distrust of everyone and a sharp didactic conversation that brought a lot of color to community meetings.
Next to them is the Borowitz couple. Stan is the treasurer of the community and is constantly concerned with the health of our well. He is a former professor and moved to these parts from California. He and his wife, Barbara, have adopted all of the outer trappings of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle and attire. Sam and Barbara have two large out-of-control dogs from Korea that Sam can barely control on the leash. Barbara, who has become rather frail manages to keep up with everyone’s business and has one of the most startlingly passive-aggressive personalities I have ever come across.
The Martini comes next. The lane’s Catholics, moved in about a year before we did some 25 years ago. Their grown daughters grace the lane with grandchildren. Dave was the communities president for a while. Had been an IBM programmer and now does real estate in the area. Sissy remains bubbly and quirky and focused on her grandkids.
Next to us is Marsha and her 8-year-old twins Sally and Sam. They moved into Joe’s old house three years or so ago now. Joe was moved into a rehab facility after completely destroying the plumbing in his home and using the land next to us as its replacement. Marsha is still trying to repair the long-term damage to the place, and her house is in a constant state of chaos. Her twins have brought much humor and joy. Sally is a tall athletic redhead, and sam is a verbose and inquisitive intellectual. Life in the neighborhood is greatly improved since they moved in.
Then there is us, the Southgate-Olufsons, but you already know too much about them to add anything else here.
— DanielSouthGate
Most of the people who live on our lane are comprised of introverted types that choose to live in a forest. At the end of the lane is a house of renters. Evergreen state college students and a rotating group of young folks. Early in the pandemic, two of the EMTs in the house offered to serve as first responders to any of us elders who might need assistance.
The next house after a stretch of forest is Bill and Sidney. Both retired now, Bill was an independent construction contractor, and Sidney was an elementary school teacher. Sidney keeps tabs on everyone and will talk to anyone as long as they will allow it. Bill is more taciturn and retreats to the studio he built to play music with friends.
Across the street from Bill and Sidney are Tor and Jan, both teachers. Tor was the local HS football coach and taught my daughter history when she was not ditching school. Tor is also the other Norwegian on the lane, along with my partner. They enjoy sharing Norwegian traditions. Tor was on a famous University of Washington Football team back when Sonny Sixkiller was the quarterback. Jan is cheery, warm, extending, and funny. Tor and Jan are the extroverts on the lane but are almost always traveling and gone from our company. Even when home, Tor takes out his small camper into the national parks around the state.
Next, come the Browns. Steve and Barb are the only conservatives I know of in our community. During the last election when large democratic banners were flying in front of our house, the browns put up a small Trump sign. They are also some of my favorite people on the lane. We don’t talk politics. We do talk about local history. Barb brings us fresh “shitty” eggs from their kids in the country, and they both work on projects with us on the lane. Despite their dubious politics, they are concerned for everyone’s welfare, grounded and connected with all the liberals.
Stella moved into the old Abromowitz house just a few months ago. We have yet to know each other long enough to tell any stories. The Abromowitz family has since moved on to that great kibbutz in the sky. They were pre-Stalin era communists and brought a general distrust of everyone and a sharp didactic conversation that brought a lot of color to community meetings.
Next to them is the Borowitz couple. Stan is the treasurer of the community and is constantly concerned with the health of our well. He is a former professor and moved to these parts from California. He and his wife, Barbara, have adopted all of the outer trappings of the Pacific Northwest lifestyle and attire. Sam and Barbara have two large out-of-control dogs from Korea that Sam can barely control on the leash. Barbara, who has become rather frail manages to keep up with everyone’s business and has one of the most startlingly passive-aggressive personalities I have ever come across.
The Martini comes next. The lane’s Catholics, moved in about a year before we did some 25 years ago. Their grown daughters grace the lane with grandchildren. Dave was the communities president for a while. Had been an IBM programmer and now does real estate in the area. Sissy remains bubbly and quirky and focused on her grandkids.
Next to us is Marsha and her 8-year-old twins Sally and Sam. They moved into Joe’s old house three years or so ago now. Joe was moved into a rehab facility after completely destroying the plumbing in his home and using the land next to us as its replacement. Marsha is still trying to repair the long-term damage to the place, and her house is in a constant state of chaos. Her twins have brought much humor and joy. Sally is a tall athletic redhead, and sam is a verbose and inquisitive intellectual. Life in the neighborhood is greatly improved since they moved in.
Then there is us, the Southgate-Olufsons, but you already know too much about them to add anything else here.
— DanielSouthGate
I'm smiling. What a great story of diversity!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fortunate circumstance! I cannot imagine! It must be wonderful living in an ancient forest! And up high, too! My sister went to Evergreen and I visited her in Olympia once. I don't think she lived near your forest, but in an ordinary house with roommates. I do remember going to the Norwegian museum in Seattle and learning about that heritage there. Lovely writing, as usual. I would be jealous, but I do like you too much to feel that! (Macoff)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I like you too, but it is not an ancient forest. I am more ancient than this forest which is 2nd or 3rd growth at best, but I do love it anyway, constantly amazed that an LA city kid gets to liver here. Your sister went to Evergreen? That speaks well of her. We live pretty close to Evergreen which is connected to our same forest and surrounds that campus.
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