At nearly twenty-nine years old, I married my bride. We began our lives with the motto “finding the answers together”….and we did. We built a home and life together, with two small chicks already in the nest, our foundation of love and respect was precast. We added brick by brick, we struggled, we went without, we smiled, we fought, we laughed, we cried, we walked with God hand in hand, we continued to build. The nest got crowded on ONE special day when the stork delivered TWO more to our brood…..our prayers and walks increased.
On one dreadful day, I received a Provo City citation. I was notified that the cows and mature, farm equipment, old cars and the general use of my multi-generational family property was in violation of certain animal rights, beatification definition, land use and was considered a public nuisance. I was given several days to cure the public complaint or be fined. I appealed to the governing political body. A well attended public meeting was conducted; I presented my documentation evidence followed by my long and passionate argument.
With legal deeds dating back to 1869 and five generations of Jacobson family ownership as agriculture use and operation, I was confidant and assured I would prevail. I was wrong. The vote was taken. I lost.
Words typed on this keyboard cannot describe my emotions and feelings of that vote. The use of my own personal and private property was taken from me, even taken from my present family and further taken from my future posterity. As a young lad in my youth I had played for hours with my cars, Tonka trunks, digging and building on and with this tender soil.
I now found my God given rights of Joy and my Constitutional Rights to pursue happiness gone.
Several months later, at 4:00AM, my dairyman neighbor, while tending irrigation water, received a moving violation traffic ticket for riding his four-wheeler on the public road that my family deeded to the city years prior. He pleads his case. The vote was cast. He lost as well.
I conceded, I then began the several year process and expense to improve and liquidate the various properties. I was sick to my stomach, as I was selling what I considered my birthright. Farmers, Ranchers and others know this meek spot in our collective hearts. Also, I began the journey to find a new tree for my dove, our growing chicks and a new nest.
My path of flight took me to Castle Dale. My family migrated in the V formation. A pioneer house with lots of trees, a Mobile Home Park business and other land were purchased. We made the house a home and the business an adventure. We taught our chicks to work and sweat, they giggled, one had water sprayed on her to cool a hot tempter down, they learned to drive a stick shift, camped, hunted and fished, left for college, dated, returned in migration, fell in love and two of the chicks married the finest locals’ first born sons. But most precious, a parents wish, they grew to hear the still small whisper, to know and hold His merciful hand.
All four chicks took to the air from the nest. They each soar today. Several difficult and turbulent seasons followed, the head winds blew hard and fieriest. Mid February of this year, papers were served. A twenty-nine year flight pattern was to end. Our lives now included lawyers and a judge. My life was spinning out of control, when would this C5 hurricane storm past? I returned from work to find our home empty of family artwork, pictures, furniture and her touch. Our home of years was now simply a house. Depression, sadness, anger, guilt, failure consumed my being. The list of emotions is often endless as the stars in the night. I apologized to family and friends who had gone through this similar experience, I judged them too harshly. When would I awake and find this nightmare over? It continues.
Life marches on, at my beloved neighbors’ home, I was tearing down a pioneer brick and mortar chicken coop. I was given the incredible vintage door. I took it to my house, I leaned it against the wall. Day after day, I looked at that weathered and worn door. When one door closes another opens, my internal compass was reminded of change, opposition and growth. We would now find our answers together separately. As I helped others, even losing myself in service to them…a closet door, a shower door, a front door, two screen doors and hysterically several car doors found there way to me. Family, friends and others began to visit and inquire of my yard art. I then would find a mystery door drop…most recent a large red, amazing, coal mine shaft sliding Fire Door. Thank You for these door presents and the gift sent from Amazon. You all know who you are…Moths are drawn to the same light. ’’Surround yourself with beauty and it will stay with you for life’’, the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright once paraphrased.
The Door of Opportunity, Monster Inc., Narnia, Alice in Wonder Land, Portal to another dimension, Dr Who, poets/music band known as the DOORS and other pro-nouns can describe these simple yard ornaments. In addition, I suppose in a twisted, emergency room humor, and silly way these could be referred as “Divorce Decorations or Announcement”? I repeat, when one door closes another opens. I ask; Why not? Christmas and Halloween decorations, Gender reveal decorations …to each his own. Art and beauty is interrupted by the individual soul.
Each night as my head would hit the pillow and I fell asleep, I dreamt of my past life. I cried. I eventually saw the opening sky; I began and planned my future. A great grandchild and another grandson were born. My hope lays in front of me…Grandpa Jake and his Cadillac’s!!!. With property near Ghost Road, a near barren clay and inclined slopping hill, I had the perfect canvass to create a work of conversation and mystique. A Cadillac’s final resting spot, a graveyard or erosion exposed tomb… if you may. I found another purpose for my journey we call life. I am happy, happy, happy, cooking in peanut oil as Mr. Phil Robertson has said.
Today, I am older, I love people of all ages, especially the old birds, I love to build and construct something of little value to something of beauty and worth, I love my Ford Back Hoe, I love dirt and mature, I love cows and cats, I love wagon wheels, I love my “blue goose” truck and orange tractor, I love ALL Cadillac’s, but my pink one is my favorite. I love color. I love Gods masterful handy work every where I walk, hear, look, smell, taste and feel. I am in Awe.
Another dreadful day occurred; Castle Dale City Officials verbally notified me that I was in violation of the Beatification Ordnance and Zoning use. The Mayor showed up twice at my property taking pictures for the EPA, per the Denver, Colorado Office. Politely and directly, I told them either to shut up or put up. I told them both, they were not allowed EVER to be on my private property, get a search warrant with an urgent probable cause statement, give me a written citation, quote me the violating ordinance, and I will fight it. I will also appeal the appeal of the appeal of the appeal. On November 20, 2019, this newspaper printed a disparaging front page article with my house front and center. Words and phrases like graffiti door art, areas needing special attention, State Board of Health visits were used to describe this property and art. I now challenge and respond accordingly.
As my Southern habits and manners continue from my religious sabbatical many years ago, The Honorable Castle Dale City Mayor Danny Van Wagoner and dedicated Councilman Members……. bless your hearts.
But, with that said, I am NOT responsible to those who are offended, they chose for themselves to be injured. I have no power over others actions. I am doing no intentional harm. I am not deliberately hurting anyone. I offer a differing perspective of life, appearance, and space. I landscape with everything from earthen levy, hill cuts, road signs, water, rocks, plants, wood, glass, plastic, fabric, leather, paint tones, metals and even a solar light, ect. The shapes and forms are of the greatness of American engineering achievement and design, from my Great Grand fathers’ 1800s wagon wheels, my Grand fathers’ 1951 Alice Charmer tractor, to my pink 1959 and other Cadillac’s. The landscape colors are bold, even sacred symbols. In my opinion, the four letter word ‘’VOTE’’ is only offensive and threatening to Government, the Political Class and Bullies. Sad and shameful. Thus “I will not be laying down or shutting up’’.
To those who find my actions, deeds and product beautiful, inspirational, funny, and curious, please continue to drive by, honk and wave, if you wish stop me and we’ll met and become friends. I quote Ms. Geller from a social media blog ‘’this feed proves that ONE soul CAN bring MANY together in conversation or curiosity…” also Ms. Reid “Arts alive”. Thank you all for your many kind and thoughtful expressions, I have been fed and nourished by them.
Sign me out, Best wishes always as your neighbor next “door.”
Cordially, Carl A. Jacobson
Castle Dale City
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