The woman who refused to sell her Ballard (my Seattle neighborhood) home so they could build a health club and a Trader Joe's on the spot has beaten the developers.
Not only did she never sell, she died in her home, just as she wanted. And she never saw the gym/TJ's open, though it must have been somewhat hellish to live through that construction noise.
I'd like to have gotten a chance to see that neighborhood as she must have still seen it in her head, all picket-fence-lined cottages and Scandinavian families. All those families grew up and moved on, leaving only her. I think of my childhood neighborhood and what it would be like if all those homes, where we played and danced and trick-or-treated, were gone, and I'm secretly glad she held out.
Admittedly, Rob and I are excited to have a Trader Joe's close to our house (and we'll consider the new gym, too), but you gotta admire this woman. Rest in peace, Mrs. Macefield.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I guess I watched too many Quinn Martin productions growing up. First thing I thought of when I read this was that the developers had her bumped off!
Post a Comment