I am going to try the RETURN thing. My Dad is elderly, why wouldn't he
be--I am myself, but he is beginning to lose it mentally. So, we--husband,
son and I, are moving into my ancestral home to live with Dad. It is an
interesting experience. My great grandfather and great great grandfather
built this house in 1870 and the family has lived there continually since.
Before that the family lived in another house on the same property which
was moved and joined to the "new" house. That was torn down in 1960s
because it was in such sorry condition. I hated to see it go and knowing
what I do now would have probably insisted on trying to save it.
As I go about the house cleaning and getting things moved around to make
way for 3 more packrats I am finding mementos of my childhood and wonder if
I think I can go back. I tell my 14 yo son of all the wonderful things to
do there--he is less than impressed. All he is concerned about is what's
on cable and his computer access.
So, wish me luck. If things go as I hope they will we will be meeting
Ralph this weekend and he may get to see this wonder of Vermont
architecture. Ruth
At 10:32 PM -0500 6/27/02, John Callan wrote:
>The trip has ended for most of us. Daughter and Friend went on by train
>for another adventure, this one in Philadelphia. Daughter and
>Son-in-Law planned to drive from St. Paul to Orlando to CT to
>Harrisburg, PA and home. Plans get changed. It seems camping in the
>Shanandoah exhausted them and they turned for home at Harrisburg. With
>all the weirdness that is part of visiting family and childhood
>landscapes, I think its better to be exhausted by camping in the
>Shanandoah.
>
>We, the two of us who actually grew up in that part of the country, were
>torn by the visit. The architecture and landscape and some people
>interactions tell us it is home and we need to return. The traffic, the
>inescapable crush of people, the intensity of conversation, the urgency
>of the pursuit of everything, repells us. Family pulls and repells in
>microcosm.
>
>The stone walls, the architecture, the familiar materials and forms.
>Does every architect have some form that he/she delights in and knows it
>has nothing to do with what he was taught in school? Maybe some are
>taught about the forms that are closest to their roots in school...is it
>good? Do builders choose to build in ancient forms? Is it okay to
>design from the heart and from the myth?
>
>Its good to be home. You guys sure are quiet tonight.
>
>-jc
>
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--
Ruth Barton
[log in to unmask]
Westminster, VT
--
To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
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