Comments on: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

By: Matthew Bowman

Matthew Bowman — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 21:22:30 +0000

I haven’t been by in a while due to extreme craziness at work, but after your (relatively) recent comments on my blog I figured I ought to check in. What a great story to come back to!

Your neighborhood sounds delightful–the kind of place everyone imagines but few find.

We really want to move ourselves (Durango, Colorado? Burlington, Vermont? Anywhere but here?), but don’t have any way to right now. I admit I don’t fit in well where I live. It’s not the town’s fault; it’s mine. I’m such a city boy, and this town is full of country folks who mostly go back several generations here. I have absolutely no idea how to relate, and I think they don’t know what to do with a guy whose ancestors they don’t know that wears sandals, has a ponytail, and isn’t into hunting or farming. People are very nice; it’s just hard to really connect.

It’s funny–we came here supposedly to start a church, but that didn’t work out. Now I realize that I probably wasn’t the person to accomplish that mission. Of course, now I also see that mission completely differently and have perhaps a little less idealism.

Sorry–didn’t mean to babble on your blog, but your post stirs up lots of thoughts!

By: Mark Traphagen

Mark Traphagen — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 03:15:59 +0000

Thanks, Diana. I’ll dig my goggles and flippers out of the moving boxes!

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 22:33:12 +0000

Mark:

It will only get better. This is truly a great neighborhood; Roslyn, Cliveden, and Mt. Carmel are much the same as Tyson. If you get over heated or your work crew wants a break from home repair, come around the corner and jump in the pool. No invitation or advance warning needed. It’s affectionately called “The Pool,” aka “The Frazier’s.” Also a great place to bring the grandkids when they are in town.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 05:25:00 +0000

Mark, such a heartwarming story - you really have a gift for capturing your experiences in writing. This kind of community is rare indeed! I am thrilled that you and Karyn are already finding it in your new neighborhood.

By: Mark Traphagen

Mark Traphagen — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 03:31:05 +0000

I feel for you, Matt. I would hate to live in one of those developments where all the houses are variations on the same theme and they tore down all the trees. Something in me would die.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 00:35:25 +0000

Mark,

Sounds like you’ve found home. Makes me really want to get out of northern Virginia, the land of endless townhouse and condominium developments and cookie cutter houses! Anyhow, I’ve enjoyed your blog and I wish you the best in your ministry on Tyson Street.

By: Mark Traphagen

Mark Traphagen — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 02:30:29 +0000

UPDATE: Karyn has posted on her blog some details of the projects we’ve undertaken at the house, along with some pictures.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 01:57:33 +0000

Hi Mark and Karyn:

I was very drawn in by your great story; I had my 13 year old son read it, too.

Like Doug, we were taken with the sat photos. Jeff seemed to know about them; I was characteristically clueless. We had some fun finding shots of our house, although none had the clarity yours did. I was torn between wondering about privacy issues, and feeling like CTU monitoring a Jack Bauer operation.

Enjoy the “home work” while you can. In such endeavors, I find myself prisoner of an attention span that these days seems to suggest the need for medication. May you fare better!

By: Mark Traphagen

Mark Traphagen — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 00:57:08 +0000

Well, other Melissa, I may need more therapy for my brain than my back by the time we’re done (ref: people who have looked at our project and pronounced us “crazy”)

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 00:16:09 +0000

Hey Mark and Karyn, I hope that your back is holding out Mark with all of that “gardening”. If not, you know who to come see:) Looking forward to your visit!! Melissa, the other one:)