Old House

My kitchen window is in an old house. I don't mean historic just old. Most of the house is an early 1950's or late 1940's farmhouse. The design came form Farm Journal and you can see its mates all over this area on other farms. It's a standard story and a half with two bedrooms up and a dormer roomer over the porch.

The thing about an old house is that you are always putting it back together or repairing it. You deal with windows that don't open, doors that don't close, floors that slant this way or that, drafts that creep around your ankles, strange creaks and groans in the night, and plumbing that gurgles and stops. Then there are the challenges of putting a modern family into a dwelling built with a simpler, older time in mind. Take for example the problem of closets. It seems that the modern generation is the only one that feels that we need lots of closet space. How did our parents deal with clothes with only one closet (in the whole house) and a few chests? Today's children need a closet for summer clothes, winter clothes, and one for outgrown clothes. When we moved in our bedroom didn't have a closet at all--we added two, on either side of the fireplace (something we don't need).

The fun part is that living in an old house is like living in an archelogical dig. Everytime you do something to the house you discover a part of its past. For example, when we remodeled the bathroom we discovered that the walls were insulated with newspaper from 1950. So we deduced that the bathroom was added to the house in 1950. It was obvious that the bath had been carved out of the end of the kitchen, but now we knew when. It also explained why you feet nearly froze to the bottom of the tub during your shower. Nothing can explain why the bath instead of being square is nearly trapodzoidal. Trying to put tile on the floor was a major mistake that causes many people to feel dizzy.

When we decided to repair the walls in the upstairs bedroom we encountered another adventure. The bedroom on the left was a nice, normal 8' ceiling bedroom. The one on the right was a 7 1/2' ceiling with an elevated floor. When we repaired the walls and tried to remove the baseboards we discovered that the baseboards continued for 6 inches below the floor. Thanks to an elderly lady who had once lived on our farm, we discovered that he original house had been built in the early 1900's but had been destroyed by a tornado in the late 40's. The house now existing had been build on the older foundation and using some of the original sturcture. So we have two rooms that predate the rest of the house. Like I said, it's like an archeological dig. You dig a little and learn a little history.

Cold Friday

After months of moderate weather we have had a touch of winter. The weather, while sunny, has been cold. This has been an unusual year. Summer was mild, with temperatures rarely reaching the upper 90's. Fall, however, has been warm with lots of days in the 70's and 80's. That combined with the abundant rainful has meant a beautiful summer and fall. Now, it is beginning to look like winter might actually come. These facts are the important topics of the day for the farmer. The weather rules our lives and livelihoods. This year the view from the kitchen window has been beautiful!

Today I had the three grandsons for the day. At 18 months, 3 1/2, and 12 they can certainly keep one old lady busy. I wonder how on earth I managed to raise two children, have a successful and demanding career, and still have a social life. Today it is all I can do to just keep up with the two little ones. The house is a wreck, I'm exhausted, and my hubby is asleep on the couch--that pretty well describes the day.

I look at my grandchildren and am amazed at the wonder of genetics. I see my eyes and eyebrows on the face of the oldest, my son's sunny disposition in the youngest, and my husband's teasing nature in the middle one. How do these things pop out in the generations? Is it random selection? I think not. Only a powerful, all knowing God could create something as complex as the human being with all it's many facets and genetics. How wonderful is his work!

Today's View

I have lived my life based on the view from my kitchen window. I have gazed over the green, lush fields of central Kentucky watching the activities of our small Angus farm unfold. The years have passed and the kids have grown to adulthood with kids of their own but the fields stay the same. Life moves on but it is always full of surprises, joys, sorrow, and peace.

As I look out the window, I have learned to time supper by when the hay baler makes the last round on the field. I have watched the excited collie, tame her manner to match the hestitant steps of my toddling grandson, somehow knowing that the little one needed his care not his playfulness. I have seen my children grow from childhood to parenthood in the blink of an eye. I have watched sunrises and sunsets too numerous to mention but always with a feeling of awe at what God has created. The view has been good.

Today as I wash dishes from Thanksgiving dinner and gaze out the window, I am reminded of the many things that we have to be thankful for. The usual things: health, family, home, children, a free nation, a loving God. The particular things: A daughter, nearly lost, now with health, husband, children and a full life. A grandson united with his family and enjoying security and love. A 96 yr. old mother-in-law who continually astounds the doctors by recovering from illnesses. A 41 yr. marriage that continues to be strong. Friends that enrich our lives and share our joys and sorrows.

As I write this blog I will attempt to share with you the life of a mother caring for children,grandchildren and an aging parent with dementia. Life isn't always fun but it is rewarding and filled with surprises. Many of you have the same problems and challenges. You will relate to the ups and downs that catch many of us in the "sandwich generation". I used to think that when I reached retirement age, I would be able to vacation, relax, take up a hobby or just goof off. I didn't realize that the work would just be beginning. Instead of taking time to take care of me, I find that I am now caring for everyone else. The world is moving at a faster pace and I am struggling to keep up. Sound familiar?