I used to joke with my wife..."Julie, I've been thinking of starting an Optimist Club in Cairo, but I just don't think it would work."

I actually WAS feeling optimistic today...

Somebody has been tearing down an eyesore down the block from me...a huge house that had been abandoned for years, set fire to and left a blackened hulk, grown over...complete with a massive fallen tree in the front yard (not that you could see it anymore through the weeds.) The house and yard occupied two corner lots between 28th and 29th Streets on Elm...on the marked path to Magnolia Manor and Riverlore.

Yesterday, they completed the project.

As they were tearing that house down, I had a wish...that they would also tear down the over-grown white monstrosity that is due north of the little war memorial park bordered by Washington Avenue and Elm at 25th Street.

Well, talk about a happy surprise!

Today, whoever the "house eaters" are began tearing that house down also. It has marred the drive down Washington Avenue for YEARS! WOW!

Adding to these shocking developments, I drove downtown and noticed sawhorses on 8th Street...the entrance to the million dollar brick street. Since the First National Bank has been replacing its roof this week, I almost didn't notice. DANG! They had a big crane "eating" a brick building across the street, south from the bank...a building that had been threatening to fall down for quite some time.

DOUBLE WOW!

So, tonight, I decided to take another drive through our thriving village...

A flash of light caught my eye as I passed through the center of town. Nope, not a fire...electic lights shown from the windows of the Hong Kong Restaurant...open for business.

Betcha By Golly Wow...

I thought...I gotta go home and write this up! A glimmer of hope...a faint pulse from the carcass that is Cairo!!!

As I readied myself to turn the car around, I had to pull over as two police cars with lights flashing went by in the opposite direction, heading north.

After turning, being a curious sort, I passed my turn and continued traveling on Sycamore. Well, that's when I had to pull over again and allow two Cairo Auxiliary Fire Department vehicles to cross the highway, heading west.

THAT is when I looked up and saw what looked like the end of Cairo...looked like the entire west side of town was ablaze.

As I noted in my previous "House Fire" post, that fortunately proved NOT to be the case, but instead was the combination of a lot of smoke mixed with the blazing lights of St. Mary's Park.

However...I have to say, it definitely took the edge off my optimism.

Guess I'll hold off on forming that new club...