This page is about Emporia-related restorations. Or Emporia-related real-estate needing restoration. Or Emporia-related real-estate that I just like. Or just cool stuff in Emporia.
Emporia, Kansas, is a city of 25,000 people, and right in the middle of America.
I have always liked the name Emporia. It has a nice 19th-century flavor.
Fabulous, Gentle Sid.
Last October, Sid moved in with me. I did a post about this. He originally belonged to a neighbor but when she moved…she left Sid. Days passed before I realized this, and I was horrified to discover that Sid had not eaten since she left. I ran across the street to give him food and…
Continue ReadingWHAT AM I THANKFUL FOR?
WHAT AM I THANKFUL FOR? When I was born in 1957, nobody recycled. I’m thankful this has changed. When I was born in 1957, rivers used to routinely catch fire due to being so polluted. I’m thankful this never happens anymore due to the EPA. When I was born in 1957, American cities suffered from…
Continue ReadingNew Fun Things
Normally I eschew this kind of decorative item but I liked the finish, the scale (they are big), and the nice relief of the carving. And the price! On the way home I thought: What should I put on them? 1890s vases? Small framed pictures? Then I realized that only ONE thing was ever…
Continue ReadingThe Gray Cliffs of Emporia
In this image, the poor condition of the gray shingles is obvious. You can even see how loose they are, rather than being TIGHT to each other. In a high wind, they all sorta flap about. I prefer non-flapping shingles.
Continue ReadingInching Along. A Near-Death Experience
Normally, Justin and I relocate the scaffolding tower. We take it down, move it, and re-erect it. It is quick and easy. But Justin wasn’t available. So, I thought, how hard can it be to do by myself? The answer? VERY hard. SCARY hard. FREAKY hard. OMG, I was worried that I would have…
Continue ReadingInching Along
With all this now finished, it is time to take down the metal scaffolding (out of sight, right), and all the wood scaffolding, and shift everything to the left. Ugh!
Continue ReadingInching Along
Next, is to paint the cornice above the painted shingles. Then, I will take down the scaffolding tower to the east of the porte-cochère and re-erect it to the west of the porte-cochère. Then I will remove all the shingles between the pair of windows and arched opening.
Continue ReadingInching Along
The two clear-glass windows are restored, as are the two stained-glass windows above (now covered with glass “storm” windows which I will remove). I am quite excited that in the not-to-distant future the pair of windows will no longer be surrounded by decay and sadness but by glorious new paint! I am reminded of:…
Continue ReadingInching Along…Frettingly
The Cross House has received two Heritage Trust Fund grants which have allowed work on the exterior which I otherwise would have been unable to fund. This work has largely determined my project schedule since the summer of 2015. The 2017 grant work is already behind schedule because the work anticipated has been profoundly impacted by…
Continue ReadingInching Along…With a Restored Eye
A few days ago I posted about the cataract surgery on my left eye, which was done yesterday morning. For most of the day after the surgery I felt like a piece of glass was stuck in my eye. Not painful, really, but hugely uncomfortable. It would have been much worse without Advil…
Continue ReadingA Short Kitty Tale
Today, this story popped into my head after four decades: I took my beloved cat Little Boy to the vet. He was there for two days. When I picked him up, the vet brought him out at the far end of the long table. I was at the other end. The vet opened the…
Continue Reading