A lot can change in 10 years. For example...
Within the last 10 years, the Japanese Beetle has invaded southern Wisconsin. This one was resting on a marigold after chewing one of my bean plants this afternoon.
I learned a couple years ago, though...
...to time my bean plantings to avoid the biggest wave of beetles that mature in early August. That's about 3 pounds of beans pictured above. Picked them today.
Ten years ago, the US Bank branches in Wisconsin were part of Firstar, before that First Wisconsin. That's a brand new fire station, too.
In 2001, this was a farm. The farmer went through a divorce and couldn't afford to keep up the farm, so he sold it to a developer. A good chunk of it is now a public park. There are water retention ponds, two softball diamonds, and a playground. The rest is houses, a community center with a swimming pool (the big building), and some unsold lots. Rumor has it that a goat lives in one of the houses.
The village where I live has added some new fine dining options recently. Yum!
The owners of this store remodeled a few years ago. Didn't help. They closed when the recession hit. They do have another store, though, about 15 miles further from the Home Depot than this one was.
Some new businesses are thriving in my village, though, like the dollar store.
...and the check cashing store.
Gas was priced at about $1.50 per gallon on September 11, 2001, and the Gulf of Mexico was a little cleaner.
Speaking of September 11...the VFW in Middleton, Wisconsin had to add another date to their flag display schedule. I have mixed feelings about how to properly memorialize those who died in the 9/11 terror attacks, but a stark row of flags seems OK. The VFW also sets up their flags on many federal holidays, including Labor Day. Thank you, VFW.
Some sentiments haven't changed for centuries. Someone modified this sign near my house a couple years ago. So far, no one has washed off the graffiti - or stopped the wars.