All That Glitters is Not Gold

After granddaughter doctor’s appointment yesterday, and my walk that only netted 1.67 miles before her appointment was over and she was ready to leave, we headed for Souplantation for lunch. It was such a nice pretty day that, instead of the freeway, we decided to take the scenic street route.

However, about a mile from the hospital, heading in the opposite direction, what I thought would be more of the nice clean pretty area I’d just walked around suddenly turned into seedy motels, industrial buildings, trailer parks, run down properties.

In the midst of this downtrodden area was a big beautiful under construction, almost complete, new building.

Suddenly realizing where I was, the exact address, I exclaimed “Oh my gosh! That’s the new complex my neighbor is moving into!”

“It’s nice” said granddaughter “But there’s nothing here.”

Very true. It was miles and miles and miles of driving before we even saw a market. There were liquor stores, donut shops, multiple fast food places that looked like they’d get the lowest possible health score rating, and the area did not look to be a safe place to walk day or night.

Where we’re living now isn’t exactly paradise, but that has more to do with issues with management. The area itself is a nice place to walk, there are elementary schools in the area, a college university, A and B rated food establishments, a market within walking distance, drug stores, nail salons, another market a short drive, and two Starbucks – both short drives, we’re on a bus route … practically everything a senior would need.

I fear neighbor is making a monumental mistake.

She doesn’t even drive, so I can’t imagine how she’s going to get out of the area to that market we saw in the nicer part of town.

Thing is, she’s coming across as so cocky, pleased with the move, pleased with herself about being accepted into the building.

She has no idea how new and pretty is blinding her to practicality.

When she was telling me about the building, first thing I asked was, “Is there a market?”

She never answered the question. Looked like she was so enthralled she didn’t even hear the question.

Hopefully, others in the complex planning that move will not be mesmerized, when checking out the building, and think before they commit, find themselves trapped in the building, having to order pizza delivery for breakfast, lunch, dinner, because there’s no market and it’s not safe to go outside.

Speaking of glitter, Nurse Ratched has implemented her own glitter plan to lure in new tenants. Just like the wicked witch lured Hansel and Gretel in by decorating her house with gingerbread and things that captivate, Nurse Ratched had beautiful new landscaping added to the front of the building.

Looks just like the kind of place you’d like your elderly parent to reside, and it would be … but for the wicked witch.

But even with our wicked witch, it’s far and away better than the new complex.