Nostalgia

There's been a lot of change in my neighbourhood in the past few years.  There's been a lot of change in New York City in the past few years.  The city has become less hospitable, less individual, less charming for a lack of better words.  It's nice to to see old buildings being repaired and renovated, but sometimes, some of their particular charm and character get renovated out in the process.

One of the loveliest streets in Greenwich Village is 11th Street.  Between University and 5th Avenue, there used to be a house which was covered by Wisteria for a couple of weeks every spring.  It was always a nice surprise to come upon the house in the middle of errands.

I found some old photos of the end of the blooms among my photos.

It must have taken a long time for this Wisteria to grow to that size and height.  This shrub looked like a tree!  In full bloom, the façade of the house would be covered in the lilac blooms, the entire front of the house a lovely pale colour.  And then there was the lovely scent of the Wisteria, wafting through the street.

This year, I saw a small cluster of lilacs on 9th Street and realised the season was upon us.  I raced to look at the house on 11th Street.  The first sight of the bloom-covered house always sort of took my breath away - a soft lilac tapestry draped over the front of the house, blooms undulating in the breeze.

The shrub was gone.  Sad.