Nothing Set In Concrete

"JD DIFFENBAUGH

CONTRACTOR

1959"

On my morning walk with the dogs, I walked through the construction zone where the city is installing an railroad underpass for Magnolia Avenue.  I do this two or three times a week now.  It is coming along to be sure and will be a boon to the locals, providing a means to avoid the frequent passing trains that often stop in the crossing and block traffic causing jams and jellies galore.  Now I love both jams and jellies, but not in my traffic.  So when the day comes that traffic flows like honey and the memories of long waits at the tracks are toast, I will, along with all of Magnolia Center where I live, be glad.

But that is not what stopped me in my tracks this morning.  I have been in my house in this area for over 28 years.  I have seen many changes.  It seems nothing is permanent.  Why just this morning at the end of Merrill Avenue, which runs on the backside of the Riverside Plaza, they were ripping out the landscaping along the B of A parking lot section.  The backhoe was digging up and scooping the four foot bushes and spreads of ivy into a waiting dump truck. I have to admit I was disturbed.  This is progress I guess and, I told myself, that sacrifice will lead to something better as they prepare to re-do that section of Merrill into what?  I don't know.  But again, that is not what stopped me in my tracks.

I was walking along when I looked down and saw the imprint pictured here in the concrete sidewalk along Magnolia.  The name Diffenbaugh proudly inscribed and the date 1959.  It made me wonder about how it must have been along Magnolia 52 years ago when this sidewalk was laid.  The businesses were fairly new.  There was a Stater's on the corner of Elizabeth and Magnolia.  Brewster's along with other little stores and businesses lined the streets.  Now those buildings are all second-hand stores and antique shoppes.  Donut City may have been there back when too, I am not sure.

According to their website, "J.D. Diffenbaugh, Inc. has been a construction industry leader in southern California for nearly six decades."  I have to wonder if there is anyone there who remembers the sidewalk project along Magnolia.  Whoever they were, they were proud enough to stamp their name in the cement for all eternity...well eternity until now.  I imagine that sidewalk will soon be replaced as progress marches on.  The sad thing is it will probably be replaced without the same pride of craftsmanship that still existed in 1959  and then be jackhammered to replace a faulty water main in a few months and replaced with badly installed black asphalt.  Seems to be the norm these days.

I am getting old I fear.  Never thought I would be so like my parents and grandparents, longing for the old days.  What gives me pause is that these are the old days for the young of today.  Will they look back with nostalgia at everything being built today?  I have to wonder.  I have to sigh.  I have to move on.  That is progress so they say.  So as I have some toast with jam or honey this morning, I have come to realize the price is high, and cost is so much dearer; but life goes on and nothing, not even when set in concrete, lasts forever.

Diffenbaugh Professional Constructors

"In a thread that runs through all of its activities, Diffenbaugh is committed to “Building Excellence” in providing the highest quality and value to each of its clients as it expands into new markets."