"I feel a part of a 'community' here"

My dears, taking time this past weekend, this old geezer invited a lovely couple to dine with.  They had just moved into a new flat and had told that they were going to cook up 'burgers' for a treat to celebrate the move.

Not that MOI has anything against burgers, right nice to have a slab of meat on a bun from time to time, it just seemed that the moment called for a bit more.  The invite was taken up on and we set out to have a lovely meal some place nice.

Driving to dinner, Michael, the man of the house, told how happy, he and Della, she be the lady of the house, felt about their new flat.  That is where the quote used in title come from.  Actually, Michael had so much more to say but it was that which stuck in me loaf.

In the rush to make over the Linda Villa, it sometimes gets left lost just how much has changed in a few short months.  Seeing the work being done daily, it becomes difficult to remember all of the small things that have been replaced to make the whole look so much changed.  Truly, were it not for snaps and remarks of old and new tenants, moments to pause and reflect would pass.

Della and Michael are keen to plant flowers in the space in front of patio.  Della claims to be something of a wizard with plants and promises that the front of patio will be awash with colour soon.  She has already placed a small 'frog' and small rose bush.  Mind, not wanting to let go of anything, she dragged an old 'fake' tree and placed on patio.  With a little water, it might lose some of the dust on leaves...

Snaps used in this post are from the car park area of the complex.  Toward the end of complex, stand two trees that have become quite full of blossoms.  They be fruit trees and would do that.  What is so lovely is that one has sprung out in 'white' and the other 'pink'.  A splash out of colour by nature to celebrate the changes that have come to the Linda Villa.  New growth, clean and fresh, to compliment what is to be so clean of a start for the property.

Joining the colour is the brilliant new emblem of our country that was hung this weekend.  Folks coming into the cark park would be hard pressed to miss this display of patriotic zeal on the part of a new tenant.  The flowers on the trees will turn to fruit and it is hoped that both the fruit and new tenants will be sweet and not turn bitter, like that which came years past.

Feeling so full of the moment, am going to ask other tenants if they would like to display the American Flag outside home.  Will even make flags available and get James to set up for.  One tenant had asked if she might hang the flag of California.  Why not, we be part of the greater community, and California could use all of the love it can get in these hard economic times.  Bloody hell, MOI just might hang the 'Union Jack' as well.  "God Save The Queen"...

With all of the positive changes brought about by new tenants, it might well be time to keep pushing for more participation on the part of the tenants in making their homes a lovely place.  I sort of had a giggle at Della's expense the week end.  Suggested that a 'tenant garden competition' should be held and prizes awarded for best splash of colour.  After a night to think on, am more clear as to how bloody brilliant that would be.

What better intro to the complex on the day of the LINDA DRUG OUT than to see a plethora of colour in the garden beds and the many flags hanging out front of flats.  We could have Supervisor Vasquez and Sheriff Durfor be 'impartial judges'.

The Linda Villa may well not be the Taj Mahal , it is however, becoming well know as a place with a heart and a soul.  Good folks have become part of the community and are making others take note of the differences that have come about.  No long need the Linda Villa hang head in shame.  We have much to crow about these days.