More fond goodbyes

Building on the new addition is proceeding rapidly. Windows are in, roofing is nearly complete, and the plumbing and electrical systems are being roughed in. The new wiring is complete on the second floor of the existing part of the house, so that we now have so many convenient outlets and light switches—even a closet light—that we hardly know what to do with ourselves! 

All of these gains are, however, tinged with a little sadness, since we do actually like living in a house with old-house features and old-house charm, and even some of those old-house inconveniences (old-house fire hazards we can do without, though, thank you very much).

So I thought I'd take a minute to say goodbye to a few elements of the house that we've enjoyed, but that we'll be parting with very soon as construction moves forward.

The first is our pretty landing, with its large window and the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves Bill's father built for us soon after we moved in. The landing is so visually striking that visitors almost always comment when they first enter the house. And from a practical standpoint, the shelves have provided a beautiful way to store our large collection of books.

Next is the assortment of small windows that add charm to so many areas of the house. The one next to the back door helped define a useful little nook where we kept a desk and message center tucked away from the traffic of the hallway. The tiny window in our son's room meant that there was pretty light from windows on three sides of the room, giving him a place to peek out on the world. 

I'm also sorry to be losing our French-style back door with its multiple divided lights. I love the way daylight filters through it and invites the eye through to the back of the house. 

And there is one other feature that we'll soon be losing, but this one I'll be very happy to be rid of: the heavy old ladder that leads from our son's bedroom to the attic. He and his friends have been great about observing our rules that prohibit climbing or playing on that ladder, but to my mind it is both a safety hazard and an eyesore. So good riddance to that! And let the march of progress continue!