LET THERE BE LIGHT!

My  art studio's future location is in a cozy and somewhat secluded space on the third floor here on Hawthorne avenue.  A small 1/2 round window faces the front of the house (east).

Currently the original window is missing so, sticking my head out the opening, I catch a closeup glimpse of  shingling and dental molding.

To the west is the entrance, a small door with old textured glass side lights.

The space is sufficient but the natural light is poor.

Since the roof required significant repair over the studio area we have just added 2 skylights.

LET THERE BE LIGHT! 

LET THE ROOFING BEGIN

 The roofers we've hired have made it through one RAINY week in Virginia.  Forecasters say we are in for a stretch of sun.  Hope so.

MY CHIMNEYS ARE NO MORE

Brick by brick my chimneys have come down.  As of today they are no more.

Chimney #1

 BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Chimney #2

 BEFORE

 DURING

AFTER

I have preserved as many bricks as possible to use in the new construction.  If there are not enough for the job then I will have one beautiful patio!

TIME TO FIX THE LEAKS

There's been a whole lotta leakin' going on here at Hawthorne Ave.  After entertaining several bids to complete our roofing job, we have made a decision.  While the majority of the slate is is good shape, there are places in the roof, especially around the flashing, that have gone unattended for years resulting in some rot.

  Though over a hundred years old, the slate is Buckingham slate and worth preserving.  We have hired a company who will safely and carefully remove the existing slate, make repairs to the wood, install the proper underlayment, and reinstall the original slate.

ACME DOMESTIC LIFE

My world......Very giggly.

IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER...

If I didn't know better, I'd think that my son Michael had lived here on Hawthorne Avenue when he was a young boy.  As I cleaned up the front azalea beds, I found myself excavating remnants of childhood......
 

Legos, "army men", superballs, marbles, plastic propellers, seashells, a rubber iguana, batteries, CO2 cartridges, a broken arrow, floppy discs, Easter eggs, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and Matchbox cars.

In addition, I unearthed several tennis balls.  I surmised that a dog lived here too and have since learned that a dog did live here but he was ever reluctant to retrieve the ball.

AZALEAS IN BLOOM

The azaleas in the front of my house are a blast of color in full bloom.

 

Is it WEBSTER'S ? Is it WIKIPEDIA ?

No, it's WALLACE!


fairytoon  :   NOUN    :

a. a story in which improbable and comedic events lead to a happy ending

b. a combination of a fairy tale and a cartoon

Examples of FAIRYTOON

1. Over the course of seven months, Wallace and Carlie put in contracts on 2 different houses but fortuitously withdraw or are denied which leads them to a neglected house on Hawthorne Avenue.  It's a fairytoon!

2. Early in the demolition process Wallace discovers that various wildlife has had free reign of this house on Hawthorne Ave. for some time.  Wisely, he bans his wife from the premises as he  safely and meticulously removes carcasses, nesting materials, waste matter, and debris found beneath the plaster walls.  He prepares the house for a thorough cleansing, tight insulation, re-plumbing, rewiring and a major facelift in order to make this house a home.  What a fairytoon!

Origin of FAIRYTOON

January 21, 2011 :

After 2 or 3 beers Wallace misspeaks while describing his self proclaimed  idealistic life with an adoring wife and 2 beautiful and always obedient children.

 

 

MORE FIGS

In Norfolk at my parent's house the figs are not ready until July.  Surprised that the figs on my tree here on Hawthorne Ave. are so plump now, and eager to get at them before the critters do, I tried one that looked and felt close to ripe. It will be a little longer before we are eating figs.