This last Sunday, Cheré Carr, my local real estate broker took me to see three homes. We returned to the Howie Mission Studio since I wanted to just find out if the road noise was an issue. I considered planting more bamboo to dampen the noise, but having 18 wheeler’s drive by all day would be an issue for my peace of mind.
The second place she took me to was this gem in Umatilla. This home was built in 1913 and every aspect of it is an antique gem. The place has 3 beds, 2 baths and 1,761 square feet. That is whole lot of space for a single guy like me who really just lives at the Disney Desk each day, writing articles and doing digital paintings. It also has a pool which is turning rather green since it has ducks who like to swim in it. When I was married, it was my job as the husband to take care of the pool chemicals and keep it clean. I got good at it but sometimes things could go out of wack. It it really a several hour job every weekend. I never swam in the pool but I always used the hot tub to wind down, and this Umatilla homestead had a hot tub as well. If I were to buy, I am thinking about converting the pool into a sunken garden, by adding steps, paths and a whole lot of soil and compost. That would take time.
The front porch has white columns which it turns out are palm trunks painted white. I love the texture look of them. The place I would most likely set up my art studio is on the left side of the house where there is a sun room that connects to the wrap around porch. It might be a light filled space, but there were curtains and a large Recreational vehicle was parked right there in the driveway and it blocked the light in to the room. There is an empty lot to the right of the house and believe it or not that extra land comes with the home. There is tons of space to start a vegetable garden or leave it open to let the dogs run around, not that I have one yet. Combined with home property, there is almost an acre of land. I have to look at what taxes are like and what home insurance is like in Umatilla. The garden had well water for watering the pants and the house had city water. Raised beds for that area was my first thought, but all these plans require plenty of work. The other thought is that right now all that land is covered with grass which requires constant mowing. To me grass is a weed needing constant care. I prefer ground covers and native plants that thrive.
The garage has been converted into a workspace, which I love. The back roof of the garage needs some work, since a back porch area overhang is starting to sag. The wood is giving way. The back yard had a large storage shed and believe it or not, a stage. The stage isn’t opulent but since I sketch arts and culture all the time, I should be able to convince some performers to stage their work here. For one person it is all a bit much, but if I invite in artist residents, it could become a vibrant artist hub. To truly embrace this huge place I have to dream really big. Perhaps someday I will meet someone who wants to build a life together, but for now I am just pioneering my way towards a new hope on my own.
Cheré took me to see a third property which didn’t inspire me at all after seeing the Umatilla Homestead. There was a tiny gnome door in one of the ground floor closets and inside there were cigarette butts and other refuge on what was the original wood flooring now dirty and decayed. The neighborhood itself felt run down. It seemed black and white paint was thrown over every surface. A gorgeous stone fireplace was painted pitch black. That place depressed me. I drove back to Umatilla to sketch, lighten my mood, and dream.