Nothing Stays The Same

The older I get the more I realize that change is inevitable. Just look in a mirror and tell me you look the same as you did 10 years ago. I know I sure don't. Get my drift?

Sometimes change is a good thing and other times not so much. Take this view for example. 

This is what it looked like from our back deck from this glorious spot we moved to on the Oregon Coast a whole year ago. Deeply shaded, cool lush green forest so beautiful it could make you weep with wonder, I for one couldn't believe our good fortune in finding such a place.

Well I'm crying for another reason these days because the new owners of 7 acres adjacent to us are clear cutting their land including their side of the ravine right down to the creek where our two properties meet. 

What looked like this a few days ago isn't anything at all what it looks like today and tomorrow it'll be a whole other scene, so much so that I can't bring myself to show you current photos. Just believe me when I say the devastation is unimaginable.

Now in no way shape or form could you ever call me a tree hugger (other than the choice many I've a mind to planting myself in front of in case the axmen decide to ford the creek and come our way). I mean I don't think twice about grabbing a paper towel and as for TP, well I can't think of anyone that can do without that stuff but believe me this whole thing's been a huge wake up call.

Now, since this is a food blog after all, I guess I'd better fess up about what we had for dinner last night. Remember the Manchurian Cauliflower dish I've bragged about here before? Last night I reworked it by adding mini sweet peppers to the pan along with cauliflower florets and it all hit the oven for the same amount of time as in the original recipe while I seasoned and dredged skinless boneless chicken thighs in flour and sauteed 'em until crispy. I tossed the lot together and here's the result. 

Delicious? You bet'cha and proof positive that some changes are a lot easier to swallow than others. Just sayin'. 

 

 

 

Comments

[Lorraine]

Oh no! So sad :(

[June]

Lorraine, you just wouldn't believe the mess and they didn't leave any kind of buffer either. Talk about jerks.

[kellypea]

I proudly call myself a treehugger :D Someone has to hug them, otherwise, the tragedy of what is happening to your beautiful land becomes routine. It's how I feel around us when someone takes an older home with character, tears almost the entire thing down, then builds a ridiculous monstrosity that looks completely out of place in the neighborhood. Ah well. As for the cauliflower dish, well I'm on my way to check out that link. I love new ways of fixing an old favorite.

[June]

So great to hear from you! Hope you like the jazzed up cauliflower. By the way, the skuzz bucket greedy B'turds cutting the trees did ford the creek and unfortunately we weren't home when they did it. No joke - it brought me to my knees and I'm still grieving. Can't believe it is called "progress".

[Tom]

June, I'm surprised zoning or county ordinances allowed them to cut down to the ravine where I suspect there is a creek. Every time I drive to the coast from Seattle, I can't believe there is not one remnant of old growth forest left. I hate the economics of the wood being worth more than the land intact. Well let me know if you need some tips for planting a hedge. Sorry about this loss.

[June]

Tom, we had a meeting with the town planner who indicated you can do whatever you want when you own the land. Ya, I couldn't believe it either. We contacted the state forest service about the creek being blocked with debris and slash and it has since been cleared enough that water is running again; however, the forest service said there isn't anything they can do about ugly. Now we've the pleasure of looking at piles of debris and breathing smoke filled air from burning slash and yes, it is all within town limits. Crazy huh.