When I bought my home, all of a sudden nurseries appeared by the side of the road I had been passing mindlessly for years. I wanted plants to express themselves in my ground, my yard, my place. I wanted to watch the life blossom through the seasons around my home and I wanted to be part of that.

This relation to the earth, I believe is what makes for the famed ingenuity of Americans, if we can but keep it. It requires creativity. Having a house also requires attention to maintenance which is an aspect of connection with the earth: “Honor your mother.” Prior to home ownership that gritty aspect of the earth relation can be absent.

Home ownership makes this relation sweet as well as front and center. We
make this place better step by step with our quiet pride of place and expression
of taste.

Some people see home ownership as an investment to make money. I do not. I see home ownership as an investment in myself, in community. A turtle does not gamble with its shell. Living in a place, a community for a long time can improve and deepen everything. We are so lucky to live here in Portland.

David Bean, finish carpenter…. and gardener