OTHER COOL THINGS is the blog page where I go off topic. In other words, this is a page where I ramble about a wide variety of subjects which have nothing to do with the Cross House restoration or Emporia.
OTHER COOL THINGS is where I might suggest a great new restaurant. Or a movie I enjoyed, or book. Or a favored blog.
OTHER COOL THINGS may — fasten your seat belt — open discussions about dangerous subjects such politics or religion.
OTHER COOL THINGS will, in short, be a page where I ramble about anything which captures my special attention. Like, perhaps, a nice moment I had with my favorite cat Gilda.
I love comments, so please do not hesitate to toss your two cents in, even if you disagree with me.
My blog posts are below. Enjoy!
Gilda. My favorite ever cat.
Before. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingResuming The South Hall
I did a lot of work on the hall in 2022 and had planned to finish the work but then got slapped with a Completion Notice for the Carriage House in early 2023 and that consumed by life for the rest of the year. Now, as I stare in abject wonder at the recreate…
Continue ReadingPutting Even More Bits Back.
I have done a number of posts about Putting the Bits Back. By bits , I mean parts of the Cross House lost over time. All old house lose bits over time. And one of my favorite things is reversing such sins to historical integrity. Since 2014, I have reinstated: lost porch columns and lost…
Continue ReadingCharles W. Squires CONFIRMED
Way back in 2016 I did a post about a very distinctive architectural detail I kept seeing all over Emporia. The post was titled: Prolifically Mysterious & Curvaceous I wrote: For years now, as I have slowly driven around the leafy residential districts of Emporia, I have noted houses which must be by the same…
Continue ReadingBefore. After. A gold rush!
My online vintage lighting store. “Bronze doré” is the French term for gilt bronze, also known as “ormolu” in English. This technique involves applying…
Continue ReadingExcitement in the Wind
Things are afoot. Quietly. But things are afoot. # 3 The Cross House has been blessed with two $90K Heritage Trust Grants. The grants did wonders in improving and restoring the exterior, and restored all 43 stained-glass windows windows. You can see all the work, here. But the titanic-sized…
Continue ReadingWanna Meet My New…
An order I placed a while ago arrived today, from a land far far away:
Continue ReadingUnexpected Gifts
Recently, I posted about Cody altering me to Jadite towel bars on eBay. Perfect for the Carriage House kitchen. I snapped them up. And then Barry came to the rescue via the United States Postal Service: Barry also included a lovely and generous donation. Thus, while the world is in…
Continue ReadingWanna Meet My Parlor?
Phillips Paperhanger 1 – 31 – 07 Cold + Sleet on the ground This is the day Lamberton Moved into the house Cross built [Isaac and Hattie Lambert purchased the house from the Cross Estate]. …
Continue ReadingAn Accidental Oopsie!
In short, my 2016 hysteria was much ado about nothing. Silly Ross!
Continue ReadingA Thrilling Update
Fewer things give me greater pleasure. To take something which was lost, damaged, and seemingly worthless, and restore it to its original beauty,…
Continue ReadingOopsie.
I have no idea why it failed. You can see plaster keyed between the lath strips. I had fully wetted the lath before applying the plaster. Perhaps the plaster dried too quickly?
Continue ReadingA Stripping Conclusion
I am leaving the old paint that will be hidden by the fridge. I know, bad Ross.But, I can always do this later; for now it will save me $$$$ and time. Two things precious to me. Kim suggested two kinds of sealers, which will protect the brick from grease, and give…
Continue ReadingTHE OTHER HOUSE: 3
So, last November I revealed the house I actually live in. I decided to make the house my own Project 2025, and work on it every day, even if only just a tiny bit on some days. I have not been wholly diligent about this but progress has been made! When I moved into…
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