It is rather an adventure living in a home that's almost 110 years old. You know about the plumbing, which I think all family members have now figured out. But every day I have to smile when I look at the door handles, and hard wood doors, floors, and cabinets throughout the place. Yes, the doors sometimes don't close quite right, but good golly, who can deny the craftsmenship that can withstand over 100 years of use and still look this beautiful? I never thought a door knob would bring me joy in the morning. Okay, maybe I'm just strange or really need to get a life. Do not answer that! But, honestly, when I reach for my bedroom door every morning I see craftsmanship, attention to detail, and it really does make me feel happy.
As a society we have worked so hard to create efficiency, foresaking beauty and pride in the detail. Ironically, I moved into this place in 20 degree weather, and now the energy bill just arrived. It was no more than my previous smaller apartment with fewer windows and the ugliest, cheap woodwork you have every seen. I have to admit, I was really surprised.
However, there is education to be had. For instance, I opened this window for the first time, not realizing that it was still the kind of window operated by a pulley system. The large weight got stuck inside the wall, and I couldn't close it. But here is why renting is so glorious...I called my landlords...nicest older couple...and Bamm..there they were. The husband was pulling the trim off the window just chatting away about these old homes, while the wife was pulling weeds out of the garden, swabbing the back stairwell, and sharing stories with me about the neighbors, the trees, and the perennials popping up everywhere. Don't get me wrong, they have installed storm windows, so there is some energy efficiency working in our favor. But I pondered how I never, in the last 8 years of renting energy-efficient, modern, management-run apartments, encountered such efficiency in responding to my need for assistance served up with such a strong dose of personal connection.
However, there is education to be had. For instance, I opened this window for the first time, not realizing that it was still the kind of window operated by a pulley system. The large weight got stuck inside the wall, and I couldn't close it. But here is why renting is so glorious...I called my landlords...nicest older couple...and Bamm..there they were. The husband was pulling the trim off the window just chatting away about these old homes, while the wife was pulling weeds out of the garden, swabbing the back stairwell, and sharing stories with me about the neighbors, the trees, and the perennials popping up everywhere. Don't get me wrong, they have installed storm windows, so there is some energy efficiency working in our favor. But I pondered how I never, in the last 8 years of renting energy-efficient, modern, management-run apartments, encountered such efficiency in responding to my need for assistance served up with such a strong dose of personal connection.
And really, how many homes have heater vents like this nowadays? Yes, I took a picture of a heater vent. Hhhhmmm, maybe I do need to get out more! Well, until then, I am thrilled to be finding some beauty in life and community.
Baby steps!
Baby steps!
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