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.
Inchin’ Along
In short: Very little progress this week. But….there was progress. And that is all that matters to me. Baby Steps™ in action.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingAnd…back to the Carriage House!
Early in the year I was working steadily on the inside of the Carriage House, with the hope (fantasy?) of finishing the interior by the end of the year. But then, in April, I decided to take a hiatus to work on some long-delayed projects causing problem on the Cross House, and the infamous cat…
Continue ReadingPoison Update
In August of 2023, I got my blood tested for lead. I learned that 3.5 is normal. Anything above 5 is considered a concern. And mine? 13.4. I abruptly stopped scraping off old lead paint from the Carriage House. A month later I had another test. The number had dropped to 11.6. In December, 2023…
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. I knew what the missing parts looked like because I’ve sold the fixture many times previously. It’s by Virden, and from their Stratford Line. And, now…drum roll, please…all back together: My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingOnly After
My online vintage lighting store. Sadly, I forgot to take a BEFORE image. But the AFTER is well worth your time. The fixture is circa-1940s, and is a style very popular in 1940s kitchens. And the finial is an on/off switch. How cool is that? My online vintage lighting store….
Continue ReadingRemember This
This is a political post. If interested, please scroll down. I’ve gone cold turkey regarding all news. I refuse to have more years of my life dominated by an…
Continue ReadingHAPPY HOLIDAYS 2024!
The scaffolding is gone! Gone! Gone! SQUEE!!!!!!!! Look at the GLEAMING lap-siding on the first floor of the tower! That was months of work this year. There is no sheet covering the big window!!!!!!!!! Thanks to help from Godsend Eric, this is year #10 of the 3-story holiday lighted tree!
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingTHE OTHER HOUSE: 2
If you want to learn about My Other House, click here. Working on my house every day, no matter how small or large the effort, is my own Project 2025. And, so far, I am very pleased. I find it diverting and satisfying….
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingTHE OTHER HOUSE: 1
To fully understand what The Other House is, click here. Room #5 was built in the 1970s. It was a long room, a laundry, and Mrs. Lawrence slept along the north wall in a cot. After I moved in, in 1996, it became my workroom. Later, I expanded the house with several additions, cut…
Continue ReadingThe Other House. Introduction.
NOTE: This is a very long post. Make sure you have the time. And some wine. I have been hiding a house from y’all. It is the house I actually live in, in Strong City, 20 miles west of the Cross House. Upon buying the Cross House in 2014, not in my wildest…
Continue ReadingAre you sitting down?
Do you have a glass wine in hand? While sipping, please first re-read this post. Then return to this page and scroll down. And be prepared to SQUEE! …
Continue ReadingKidnapped by Aliens?
This is a political post. Please scroll down if interested.
Continue ReadingBefore. After.
My online vintage lighting store. My online vintage lighting store.
Continue ReadingHOW????????
This is a political post. If interested, please scroll down. I’ve yet to process one central question: HOW did Harris get about 14 millions fewer votes than 2020 Biden? HOW…
Continue Reading