One great thing about a gravel driveway is you can hear them coming.

This afternoon, Claes and I were chilling at home in East Cleveland, minding our own business, when we heard that crunch of rocks under heavy tires. Then the slam of a car door, and heavy feet on the front porch... another drive-by had arrived. It's been happening regularly since we started renovating the house on Roxbury, late last Summer.... especially on a beautiful day like today.

First the neighbors, and then complete strangers, stopping by. They all want to see our great house - they love our neighborhood - they all want to live here... around here. I didn't expect that.

Today's visitor was a nurse from Huron Hospital who wants to live in one of these great old houses a few blocks from work. I did what I always do... gave her a tour of our home, and talked about the great homes in the area, and encouraged her to invest in and move to East Cleveland. We talked about the great home town feel, and how all the neighbors have lived here for decades, and are committed to their homes and community, and how the small East Cleveland government is so much better than the dark halls of Cleveland. I pointed out that police and EMS response times in East Cleveland are the fastest in the region, and that was before the police replaced 6 aging Crown Victorias with much faster but more fuel efficient Chargers. And I gave the Huron Hospital nurse my name, email and phone number and told her to get in touch if she needs any help finding a great home here, or low interest loans, or historic renovation assistance, or lead eradication funds, or meeting anyone who may help. I made her feel as welcome as she will feel if she lives in my neighborhood.

She said all the doctors and nurses at Huron are saying the same thing...why spend so much time and money driving back and forth to the suburbs, when you can live in such amazing homes in such a great location - get rid of a car and put the $10,000 a year for payments, gas and maintenance into owning a better home.

And the drive-by ended... lunch-break was over and the nurse went back to work, and Claes and I went inside our beautiful East Cleveland century home, and Claes took a peaceful nap.

If you would like to drive-by 1894 Roxbury, feel free... but please email in advance to make sure we are home... norm [at] realneo [dot] us