Here's a random picture that got me thinking about
STUFF!
First of all, I love old houses. The older, more run down they look, the more I want to go inside and explore.
I picture the families that once lived there and I try to imagine what their days were like.
My fascination with old houses may have come from my own grandparent's old home, which was rickety and looked patched together. It had a door on each end of the porch, which intrigued me, for some reason. I still can't figure out what the two doors were for. When they started building their new home, on the same property, we started referring to their old home as "The Old House" and we called it that for years.
One year David, the boys and I, drove Route 66 in Oklahoma (we've actually driven the entire Route 66 from end to end) and the number of dilapidated old shacks was amazing. I was so thrilled! We saw many old homes, way out in the fields, that were abandoned during the Dust Bowl. I went home and watched The Grapes of Wrath, just so I could imagine what their lives were like back then. That was a time of pure survival and stamina.
I remember in one scene, the Jodes packing up only what they could fit in their old truck and it wasn't much. They had to leave the rest behind, to be swallowed up by dust.
I look at the above picture and it makes me think of all the stuff we collect and cherish and I can't imagine having to leave some of the things that were sentimental, behind. But they did.
Now, I am amazed at how we flock to flea markets and antique stores to find those old things again.
We actually want to fill our homes with things from the past. I wonder why?
I think it's more than just "liking the look". I think it's more about preserving a piece of history and the memories of a time gone by.
One day I hope to have a book full of pictures of old, run down shacks.
That would mean traveling the roads, in order to take all the pictures, which sounds like a great plan right now!
I can definitely see that in my future.....
Care to share something about yourself that intrigues you? I would love to hear all about it!
I LOVE old houses, too! Are you surprised? When we were moving to our small town here in OH, we looked at several old "mansions" in town--huge brick two-story, or 2.5 story, with huge wooden curving staircases, built-ins, marble fireplaces, tall windows, massive chandeliers, claw-foot tubs, and more. We almost bought one that had a custom-made 12-foot mahogany dining table in the formal dining room, over which hung a massive antique crystal chandelier, and a huge buffet to one side that had to have at least weighed a ton. They were built in the house and there was no way to move them out! We didn't get it because it did not have A/C, and we just weren't sure about the weather in this new state, as well as not knowing enough how to judge the condition of the exterior brickwork. So we passed... think how many times lately I've wished I had that 12-foot dining table!
ReplyDeleteBut, we settled for a 1906 huge rambling farm house that everyone from this area knows historically as "The Johnson Farm." Barns, pond, spring, fruit trees, berry bushes, marsh, tire swing, garden patch, woodburning stove, and the original windows. It's awesome.
But those brick mansions we looked at... I could just imagine my kids coming down those grand staircases on Christmas morning, putting gorgeous quilts in every bedroom, and sitting in a pretty parlor with a marble fireplace serving hot tea and scones.
Our farmhouse came with an enormous clawfoot tub, and I LOVE that! I can almost swim in it! It's filling as we speak, for the little ones!
I'm always intrigued by old homes, too! Especially ones with turrets and attic lofts!
You and I are so much alike. When my hubby and I pass by old houses, I'm like "I wanna go in there and see what it looks like." I want to treasure hunt. Maybe fine old photos or something. My grandparents home is over 100 years old and was a ship captains home because it was right on a bay in Maine. I'm sure there is some great history on it. I was able to get some windows off the guy that was remodeling it when we were up there years ago. That made my day.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day my friend.
Kim
Other things that intrigue me: Quilts: It amazes me the creativity and meticulous work that goes in to some of them. I could never do it (I only daydream that I could), but never get tired of looking at them!
ReplyDeletePaintings: I love art, especially paintings. I try to paint, but just don't have it "in" me. I love looking at beautiful paintings and appreciating the talent and skill that made it.
Musicians: I am amazed and awed by musicians with God-given talent and passion that make beautiful music that I could have never even dreamed up. What a gift to the world. I never get tired of a beautiful voice, beautiful harmonies, and beautiful piano, guitar, orchestra. I will listen to oldies and newbies alike, like Joan Baez, Leo Sayer, Christina Aguilera... and marvel at their talent, and listen to Handel and be carried away, and watch my daughter sing effortlessly while she plays the piano--something I could never do no matter how many hours I practiced.
Fashion designers: I am so intrigued by someone who has the artistic ability to design clothes that fit, drape and flow flawlessly, with beautiful fabrics. If I had TV, I would be a Project Runway Addict. I would love to be able to create beautiful clothes!
I like old homes too....always have. My aunt had an older 2.5-3 story historic home she spent years trying to restore before she passed away from cancer. It was beautiful at one time and really coming along! However, it was in a terrible part of town overrun by gangs and drugs and the house eventually was looted and vacant for quite some time after her death and just never made it back to the beauty of its day :( I LOVED the high ceilings and pieced together wood floors. There were really cool passageways between the rooms (which we always thought were haunted) and were too terrified to go through. There was an elegant main staircase in the center of the home and a simpler servant stairwell off the kitchen. I would like to live in one, but the maintenance and cost to maintain it would be non-stop and over the top. I do like looking and touring through them though.
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