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.
A Lighted Niche!
Y’all remember a few years ago when I laboriously restored the stairhall niche? But…the niche had no electricity. So, while I installed a fabulous ceiling fixture (a Bo discovery), it was never lighted. Until now.
Continue ReadingThe Party Of Pure Evil
For some time now I have been posting how dangerous the Republican party has become to the well-being of most Americans, and to democracy. And I bring the receipts. Yesterday, in the US House of Representatives: 193 Republicans Voted Against Capping Insulin Prices Every Democratic voted for the bill.
Continue ReadingCody Has Left The Building
As I wrote in my very first post, life is what happens when you are making other plans. The job I offered Cody seemed, on paper, an ideal fit. “The perfect job!”, he stated. But, for myriad reasons, it proved otherwise. I hope Cody well on the next chapter in his life. …
Continue ReadingA GREAT DISCOVERY: The Lost Newman Mansion
Today, on the NE corner of 12th Street and State, Emporia, is a church. The church, completed in 1948, replaced an extraordinary house, one of the finest in Emporia. The 1892 house was designed by architect Harry Jones, of Minneapolis. The house was commissioned by G. W. Newman, who owned Newman’s department store in the…
Continue ReadingIt May Not Seem Like Much…
In 2014, I built a “monster” wall on the east side of basement to keep the house from collapsing. Then, during the ensuing years, there has been essentially zero work on the basement. But today, this narrow wall (it will soon be wider) was installed to we can attach four light switches and one…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingWanna Meet My Central Vacuum System?
This was installed by the previous owner, Bob Rodak. I have never used it. Almost immediately when I began restoring the house in 2014, I partially dismantled the system. Now though, with the big push to finish all the wiring and plumbing, the vac system needs to be put pack in use. I Googled…
Continue ReadingA Rejoicing Ross
In order to move into the Cross House, a vital task needing to be done beforehand is one I have not mentioned: All the plumbing and wiring need to be completed. ALL of it. And why? Because, in order to move in, I also need to move all my lighting stock. This is many, many…
Continue ReadingWanna Meet Bella?
On February 23, my old friend Linda contacted me: Would be interested (and willing) to give a loving kitty a home? She’s a spayed older female, litter box trained and very friendly. I’m trying to find an “inside” home for her so she doesn’t get traumatized being turned into a barn cat (which is what…
Continue ReadingCresting Happiness
I was born in Detroit, a 1957 model. And I’ve long been fascinated by the utter ruination of the Brush Park neighborhood, and its miraculous revival. Only a few old houses remain, and most have been redone on-the-cheap. But not the Henry Glover House. Here it what it looked like in 2014: …
Continue ReadingPlumb Place: A Failure of Imagination?
In 1967, during a launch rehearsal, a fire killed the three astronauts in the command module of Apollo 1. During the investigative hearings, Frank Borman stated that the tragedy was due to a failure of imagination. A failure of imagination. He explained that NASA had taken into account the many dangers posed to the crew while in space,…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingMaking Plans!
For the past seven months I have been consumed by the carriage house. I forgot that I also owned the very large house across the driveway. But now…I am back in the behemoth. In talking with Justin the other day, I knew a few things to be done, like finish the cat fence, get…
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