Today at RDP, sgeoil asks us to get creative
with the word ‘house’. Thanks, Heather!
Here’s where the prompt word took me.

Blocking Out The Sun
The old woman who lived next door to us for 45 years passed away a few months ago at the age of 101. Her house has been empty and on the market since then. About two weeks ago, I heard the house has been purchased by a middle aged couple who plan to do major renovations. I wonder if that means tearing down the cozy Tudor and putting up a cold McMansion which is all the rage these days. I hope not; I don’t want to look out my window to see an ugly monstrosity blocking out the sun.
NAR©2025
This is “Tearing Down The House” by the Avett Brothers
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

We had the same thing happen to us several years ago. An elderly neighbor on the other side of the cove passed away and the buyer tore the house down and built a “McMansion”. I hope your neighbor really does remodel! Love the song, I could listen to the Avett Brothers all day ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re fine with a remodel; we just don’t want a monstrosity on our little street. We are on a cul-de-sac and all the houses are different but pretty much the same size. It would be a shame to destroy the quaint look of the neighborhood with a house three times as big. I agree with you about the Avett Brothers; they’re great. Thanks, Lisa and enjoy your Thanksgiving. 🤎
LikeLike
I hope they keep the original architecture
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sadje. We do too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😍😍😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be a horrible experience but as long as you have the Avetts to listen to, all will be well
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly wouldn’t hurt. Thank you, Brian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the Avett Brothers and the song is perfect for your poem. McMansion, indeed… ugh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right? Who needs that?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No one! Especially if it blocks the view!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah … a great song from the Avette Brothers, and we are all in dread of a monstrosity being built next door, Nancy …
https://youtu.be/ol3avOZHtRA
LikeLiked by 1 person
True! I don’t know anyone who wants that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah … we are at the ‘Cafe’ relaxing 😌🎶🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely! Enjoy your time there, my friends! 🥰 🐶🌏
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always nice to get away from the home office computer, Nancy 🤗🖥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope your new neighbors are friendly and your view of the sky isn’t blocked. I was at ASU yesterday and the area is so overgrown with tall buildings; the skyline has disappeared. ☹️ 101 years is a long life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our neighbor, her sister and their widowed father moved into the house next door immediately after it was built in 1950; she was 27 years old and her sister was 25. The sisters never got married. The younger sister had a full-time job while the oldest sister was the ‘homemaker’. By the time we moved into our house in 1985, the father had long passed and it was just the two sisters living next door. At that time, the sisters were 62 and 60 years old. We couldn’t have asked for better neighbors. They kept the house immaculate inside and out, took care of their gardens, and, obviously, we were very quiet. The younger sister passed away about eight years ago, and the older one lived on with the help of her caregivers till the age of 101.
Thanks for your good wishes, Michele. We haven’t seen the people who allegedly bought the house next door and we know nothing about them or their plans. I hope it all turns out well. It’s really a shame about ASU. This is what people call progress. 🤷🏼♀️
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a touching story and an example of the diversity of family dynamics and life choices, which I find interesting. Thank you so much for sharing.
I was going to mention, we can’t stop progress. You addressed it for both of us. Seeing skyscrapers instead of the independent shops, older buildings, and the sky does make me sad. Thank you for the reply, Nancy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There was a lovely bungalow just up the road from where we bought our first house. It was empty and left to rot, eventually being demolished and redeveloped. We counted 38 dwellings on the site, 3 blocks of 8 flats, 1 block of 6 terraced houses and 4 pairs of semis. Progress, cramped and confined.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t imagine too many people are happy about that set up, Di.
LikeLike
The estate was full of such properties. Ours was a one bedroom cluster home in a block of 4, so each property only had two outside walls. I hated it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry you were so unhappy. At least you’re out of that place, Di.
LikeLike
We got caught in negative equity and had a mortgage that was £15000 more than the property was worth. It took us 6 years to sell at a substantial loss, but we scrimped and saved and were able to clear our debt and start afresh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is that top picture The White House? Proof that renovations aren’t always made with good taste!
Nice song too 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣 😂 hate the renovations, love the song!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s terrible when they pull down the house and the rebuild doesn’t match the character of the neighbourhood. I’ve never understood how that gets approved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so right, Heather. There are so many of these McMansions going up in the little village where I live. They are huge with ridiculous prices. I can’t fathom how people can afford to spend so much money on a huge house with property the size of a postage stamp. My husband and I are very happy in our little old house which is roomy and comfy enough for us. Plus, we have large front and back yards. Bigger isn’t always better!
LikeLike
I hope that’s not a true story Nancy – nightmare – love the track by the way
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is true, Ange. We can only wait and see what happens and keep our fingers crossed for the best. Thanks for your comments.
LikeLike
How frightening Nancy I’ll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you🤞
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a person that does not do well with change, and I love old houses!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m OK with change; I just don’t want a big ugly monstrosity of a house next-door to me. Thanks for your comments, Eileen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I’m with you on that 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sincerely hope not. You cannot beat the bones of a well-built older home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right. I hope the new owners just make some minor adjustments and leave the house the way it is. Thanks, Jodi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Leave well alone, I say! Not that anyone listens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I listen and I agree! I hope they do just that.
LikeLike
I hope not, either! Those older homes have so much character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re exactly right, Lois. Thanks very much.
LikeLike
Well if they do you’ll just have to put in a nice tall hedge row.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Something huge and fast growing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all hate change and sadly fashion is transitory.💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just don’t understand why these giant houses have to be built on little suburban cul-de-sacs such as mine. There should be zoning laws in place. Fingers crossed that it doesn’t turn out to be a big monster of a house.
LikeLike
I know what you mean they are building all around us … There will be no room left soon. All the animals are loosing their trails and habitats. I agree there need to be laws and taxes to stop the fat cat builders! 💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person