8th July 2022
Living in the US has taught me a lot. When I first came over in 1986 everything was wrapped in a halo of perfection. Everything seemed wonderful, my stay at Marigold Lodge with its original Nelson furniture was inspiring.
The grounds, bordering Lake Macatawa were beautifully manicured, the grass cut to very close tolerances.
Subsequent visits, after the Design Yard was built, showed attention to every detail, a perfect place to work.
But over the following years I noticed the flaws, the rotting window frames and the flaky paint. Of course the interiors were perfect, but it was all part of an image. This I leaned is how things are over here, a veneer covering the real picture. Houses that have seen better days are hidden by overgrown gardens. Front porches that should be great social spaces are full of rubbish, other places look vacant. I am fortunate to live in a respectable area, but I am always aware that I want the place to be better. I try to keep the grass long, but cut often, the wild flower garden looks great at the moment because everything is in full bloom, but come the autumn the area will look quite different, and the challenge will be to make make it acceptable.
Another Lifetime to go 