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 ReadingA 1940s Beauty!
My online vintage lighting store. I love fixtures from the 1940s, and at some point I really need to buy a 1940s just so I can fill it with such beauties. The 1940s have a distinct aesthetic. It is post-Deco, not really Mid-Century Modern, and pre-Atomic Age. It is in the middle;…
Continue ReadingInching Along. Ta-Da!
Like everything with the south facade, the top of the tower looked fine from ground level. I thought: A light sanding, primer, and paint! Easy-peasy! Oops. Even the two arched window sashes, which were restored a few years ago, needed attention. I partially reglazed one, and repainted all four sashes…
Continue ReadingMaking Sashes Pretty
The wood will receive an oil-based primer, and two coats of oil-base glossy black. The gloss really makes the sashes pop.
Continue ReadingWhile Rome Burns…
…I have a tiny bit of good news! So, y’all remember about the new Pete portrait in the 1894 parlor? But the hanging cord thingy looked, umm, undersized. It is the fourth one in the room, and I have never been happy with them. Too skimpy. I have been searching for beefier versions and at…
Continue ReadingFlower Power
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingA Political Parlor
In 2016, I was painting the parlor of the 1894 Cross House. Hillary Clinton had been nominated for president by The Democratic Party. And at one point, as my hand was up in the air painting the ceiling, a thought struck me: When this room was was built women didn’t even have the right to…
Continue ReadingAn Inspiring Talent
Jonathan Antoine was 17 when he entered Britain’s Got Talent. He was…an improbable contestant. And a nervous wreck. Then he began to sing. Wow. He’s continued to do well. He’s now 25 and it’s been wonderful seeing him gain self-assurance. He’s got a new song out, which is also improbable But…wow:
Continue ReadingBefore. 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 ReadingDANGER, WILL ROBINSON! DANGER!
Proximity alert! Proximity alert! Gray and New Kitty. Masterfully not quite touching.
Continue Reading