Frank Schulte-Ladbeck

This past week found me travelling through much of central Texas for business and pleasure. It was interesting to note the character of the different communities, when it came to materials used to construct their homes, and how they were decorated. However, stopping and talking to people was of the greatest interest to me.

On Sunday afternoon, you could find me outside of a church in Spicewood, which is just outside of Austin, sitting in the shade of a tree with my tea, speaking to an artist from Germany, who is now living in our fair state. I was admiring a cross that she had made from timber, copper, and driftwood, so we spoke about her work. We swapped birdhouse designs as the hummingbirds flew past.

Our conversation turned to life in different cities, with a focus on commuting. She was going to return home to pick up some pieces to deliver to Fredricksburg later. She was not looking forward to the drive under our Texas' sun, but it was one that she needed to make. She mentioned how travelling around was easier in Europe, where she did not need a car. Her vitriol was directed to the traffic jams of my city, Houston. She did not see how I could live with it. I mentioned that I heard a report the Judge Emmet was looking into reviving commuter rail in the region. Much of the infrastructure is here, but it is used for other purposes. She did not believe that Houston would go that route.

Upon coming back home, I find an e-mail informing me that my region is moving ahead with commuter rail. I guess that high fuel costs bring about unexpected benefits. At first, I thought that the plans would just be between Houston and Galveston, but I discovered that it will be much more than that. The plan has its critics, but mainly it seems that people are complaining that they are not included, rather than having rail come by them. Well, we are just in the first steps, and there does seem to be a desire to make such a system work, so I feel that eventually the rail will be more inclusive. I would like to see if this system will somehow tie into the light rail lines that are now being built to pull the city together.

We are still in the proposal period for this development, so your voice can be heard, if you wish to comment about the routes or plans. Follow this link to read them for your self.

If only they had a train to take me to a tree in the Hill Country for a peaceful Sunday afternoon, I would be ever so happy.

Your Houston Home Inspector,

Frank Schulte-Ladbeck

Freedman's Town is the oldest African settlement in Houston. It was settled by freed slaves before the civil war. It is on the National Historic Places list. Should it not be the pride of the African American community here? Should it not be the pride of all Houstonians? I have driven through the neighborhood with my children when showing them the older parts of my city. I wanted them to see where this city came from.

Freedman's Town sits right next to downtown, and it has recently been in the news. An older church was recently demolished by the city, because it was considered a hazard to the residents. One of the residents reported that bricks were crumbling off (some say taken off), and that a wall close to a sidewalk could come down. Most of the remaining historic buildings in the neighborhood area close to suffering the same fate. The low income residents simply do not have the means to maintain their heritage. However, this community is experiencing a rebirth. It is becoming vibrant once more.

Young professionals who had lived in the suburbs are now moving into this section of town, because of it desirable location. Downtown workers no longer want long rides to work in downtown offices. They do not mind exchanging larger lots for smaller locations when it means more convenience in other aspects of their lives. This new influx of residents have brought benefits to their older neighbors. New stores and shops have arrived to serve the community, and I am sure that the city is improving the infrastructure now. Property values have been rising rapidly, so the older residents now have access to funds that may have never realized by selling their historic home.

This is where I have a dilemma. It has longed bothered me that the inner city areas do not have access to the same amenities that other areas do. The emphasis on creating a city focused on the car has irked me as well. The idea of walking through a neighborhood, and meeting neighbors seems lost when we rely so heavily on the car. Moreover, I do not begrudge those who have little managing to make a profit n their belongings; however, I am saddened for my city's loss. What becomes of a town that forgets its past? Houston has always been looking towards the future, but there is a history here. These elements have helped shape the town to become what it is today. Somehow I wish that I could rally the troops to save some of this history; make its importance recognized by the city at large, while allowing the trend of creating a better community too. How do we accomplish this? Obviously the newer residents need to learn to respect the past of the neighborhood, while bringing it new life; a blending if you will, but I fear that may not happen.

Your Houston Home Inspector,

Frank Schulte-Ladbeck

The radio is reporting that there will be more freeway closures this weekend, as the web increases in size and scope. All that I see is the different shades of concrete. In parking lots, on the four to five lane highways, to the two to three lane frontage roads, the walls to block off subdivisions from these passageways. I scan the horizon to find concrete buildings, so the term concrete jungle comes to mind.

I have long wanted to be in a city like Melbourne, where gardeners seem to rule. The public access ways are dotted with plants. Would it not be fantastic to be surrounded by flowering shrubs on our journeys, instead of another billboard for a tanning saloon? As I continue along my route, I see that the workers are going to block off another lane. Great, I think. However, this time it is great. They have removed the grass from the verge to replaced with ornamentals. What vision breaks before me when I see a completed stretch; am I deceived? No, city government has stepped up its efforts to make Houston more inviting.

The greening of the city has been going on for awhile, but there appears to be a renewed effort to this end. I know that our mayor has spoken out on becoming more environmentally concerned (yet Texas is the only state in our fair union that has not accepted global warming as a fact). This may not be the motive behind this activity though. The maintenance on these ornamentals will cost less than cutting the grass every so often. I believe that high fuel costs has had an unexpected benefit for this gardener's soul.

The are given over to lawn has slowly been receding around my home. I need the grass for a play area for the children, but fortunately for me, they enjoy the bushes and garden beds too. I am not quite at the point of creating a xeriscape, but my garden is fairly low maintenance. I do not use a gas powered mower in any case. I noticed that my neighbors garden beds are encroaching on their lawns as well.

So I leave you with this thought, save fuel; plant a garden bed.

Your Houston home inspector,

Frank Schulte-Ladbeck

There were shouts of “wow” and “look, papa, look” chiming out again and again. My daughter had discovered a final home: the sarcophagus of Pedi-Osiris. She came back to it several times, and to the curator's chagrin, she wanted to press against the glass of the case to take a closer look. My son headed over to the Impressionists works, specifically a Monet. He stared at the little Japanese bridge striding over those water lilies. I was drawn to some contemporary works. Figures looking like they belonged in a Day of the Dead procession caught my eye, but it was the flowers on stems in space that drew me into their world.

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is free every first Sunday of the month. Target sponsors the event, as they do in many other cities. It is almost like a big party for kids. There are so many stations were kids can partake of their own art projects, but the performances are range from music to theater. It is a great time to introduce your children to the arts (and arts programs for kids in Houston).

I was most intrigued by a simple set up in front of the doors of one building. The affair was overseen by a local artist, who had rolled out sheets of red paper held down with painters tape. Markers were set on the side. Kids of all ages grabbed a marker to draw their own visions for the world to see. I strolled around the scene, picking out the separate images. I found three main themes: flowers; portraits, and places to live. Here were homes or apartments drawn out by kids and adults. Everyone wants a place to live, which bodes well for my business.

I like driving and walking around the museum district and around the university. Houston does not honor its past often. We are quick to tear down to build-up the new, which makes for an interesting mix of homes and apartments in this part of town. A Modernist design placed next to the latest design of fifties and earlier can be seen. I love modernist elements in a home, but I noticed that most people do not use this style to its most intriguing views. Most settle for a variation of the basic box; however, you can come across some elegant forms here. I also enjoy the smaller older cottages. The graceful arches which adorn the entrance ways, and the sun rooms or porches draw you into the homes. The gardens are filled with inspiration. I hate the idea of an older home being torn down, but it is great to see the love owner's show their homes in this part of the city.

Go to the museum on the first Sunday next month, but then wander through the neighborhood. Be inspired for your own home.

Your Houston home inspector,

Frank Schulte-Ladbeck