Out Of The Ashes

As I was driving to work this morning, I noticed it was hovering around fifty degrees, which made me happy knowing it didn't even get down into the 30's. After the sun rose high in the sky, it ended up being an absolutely delightful day.

The only showing I had scheduled for the day, was over at 118 N. Federal which is the commercial building where that Chinese restaurant called 'The Bamboo Terrace' was located for a very many years. At first the buyer didn't seem to enthused until I began pointing out the many possibilities it had to offer, and after hearing what it would be used for, I couldn't have given more praise. Before leaving, the buyer did say he'd like to have a contractor look at it with him, which was just fine by me. After hearing some of the ideas he had for it, I could already 'see' in my mind, that thriving business. I'm afraid it's going to take a good long time before all the buyers out there will feel comfortable over having to sign a Buyers Agreement before we can show them a piece of property. Oh well, these changes are the by-product of that class action law suit which was going on for many months.

After finding it had happened twice today, I became very upset over these people who're driving straight thru four-way stop signs. The first one was at the corner of Monroe and First St. NW, and I can assure you that if I hadn't given a double look before driving on after making my stop, there's no question that woman in a red car would've ran right into me because she hadn't even slowed down when approaching that intersection.

The second incident took place at the corner of N. Federal and Third Street, and again, if I hadn't looked again before turning, that guy on a small motorcycle would've run right into me, and what made matters even worse, I noticed he didn't even attempt to stop at a four-way at the corner of N. Federal and Second Street. My gosh! What's getting into these drivers? It's a wonder there aren't more accidents than there already are. Seems they're all in big hurry to get nowhere fast.

After my appointment was over, I sat down at my piano and did a little practicing for about forty minutes, and then drove over to Casey's and grabbed a piece of pizza and a cup of coffee before I landed over at my little/big project for the remainder of the afternoon.

I did get at least one thing I wanted to have done before I side-tracked myself in working on something I'd put off for months, so after a good four hours, I had more accomplished on another piece of that big puzzle than I was expecting. But, I did manage to get a my finger pinched really good, and only because I wasn't paying attention to cause and effect.

Several of the neighbors stopped by to have an nice chat which lasted longer than I was expecting, but at least they've been more than good enough to keep a watchful eye peeled while I'm away. Without a doubt, it's always good to have neighbors who're truly caring neighbors.

The real shocker I had today, was hearing, and then doing my own personal checking before I share the following with all of you. Well, on the 8th of August, which wasn't even a month ago, the land belonging to Ed Kent which is the site where the Kirk Apartments stood, was sold for $150K, and the title to it is in the name of an LLC, but the mailing address for its real estate taxes is a home located right here in Mason City.

What surprised me the most about it, was there being no news published about that sale, along with what the new owner's plan are for it. Well, according to the person who told me, it's gonna be a mixed-use build-out where there'll be office/business spaces on the main floor, and apartments above. I have no idea if it's going to be a two, three, or even four-storied building. I also heard that the Suzie-Q restaurant building was also sold, which was sitting on rented land belonging to that very parcel which sold, so perhaps the new owner purchased it and will likely have it moved elsewhere. So, it looks like in the very near future, there'll be a new building being constructed out of the ashes of the old Kirk Apartments. Let's hope that site isn't cursed because as some already know, that site has had two major fires over the past 100+ years.

Tonight's One-liner is: Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you haven't committed.

original post ... https://niowarealty.net/life/2024/09/07/out-of-the-ashes/