Dr. Doug Visits. Excitement Ensues.
Doug made a door, exactly matching the original doors, for the 1894 main bathroom off the Sewing Room. And (drum roll, please) I have the matching hardware for the door! Squee!
Doug also ministered aid to Door #4 (to the Round Bedroom).
The wall surrounding the door had badly settled and the top of the door was cut at an angle to reflect the drooping new reality. In 2016, I raised the door frame back to level, which left the door looking like this.
Doug sistered on a new top! Because the door has a faux bois finish, the new wood will be painted to match.
As Doug and I toured the house he kept saying: “Wow. As we walk around I keep seeing my work everywhere!”
It is true. Doug, as with Justin, has been an indispensable, invaluable, and consistent help in restoring the house. I shudder to think how vasty harder everything would have been without these two.
Ironically, I glared at Doug when we first met. It was only a few months after buying the house and there was an overwhelming amount of work going on. There had also been an overwhelming amount of people wandering onto the property, and even wandering into the house wanting a tour or asking questions or looking for work.
On that day, I was outside talking with one of the people working on the house and a man I had never seen came over and stood a few feet away with a HUGE smile on his face. I continued talking but kept glancing at the stranger with the HUGE smile. Finally, in mid-sentence, I stopped talking, turned to the man, and coldly asked: “Can I help you?”
He did not reply for a moment. He just kept smiling.
I thought: Is this guy crazy?
Then, in a rush, he gave his name and said he had a wood working shop and did I need any help?
I thought: This crazy man is looking for work! There’s no way I’m gonna hire a crazy man!
As I began to turn away the stranger said: “I also own an old house. It was designed by George F. Barber!”
My turn stopped. I returned my attention to the stranger but my expression had been transformed to wonder. “You own a Barber house?”
The huge smile got even larger. “Yes! And I think it’s even bigger than your house!”
And suddenly, without warning, we became the best of friends. For, it was now obvious that we both suffered from the same affliction: big old house love.
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Awwww what a story! Dr. Doug’s (and Justin) handiwork is an integral part of the Cross House’s history. Thank you for all your quality work.
not to be a debby downer, but why exactly, in the middle of a global pandemic, are you having people come to your house?
Doug and I stayed far away from each other.
It’s a big house, so that’s easy to do.
Ross is right——had I been a sane person I would have turned around and never come back again. He was quite rude. However, my attraction to his house overcame his behavior. We are now great friends. I still ovelook his outrageous behavior.
Hahaha what a comeback, Dr. Doug. I think you were so glad to see that the Cross House (which is smaller than your own Barber house. Wink! Wink!) is being looked after again.
Yay Dr. Doug & the incomparable wonderful Justin!!
Yes, Ross can be curt and seem unkind but we all love him dearly!!
Cross House is bejeweled, polished, restored to its former glory by Ross & by Ross enlisting a village…. to help!
I agree the wonderfully eccentric Ross is endearing in spite of his peccadillos!
I am so thankful for him & constantly keep a blanket of prayer & angels guarding him in health & safety!
Ross does incredibly & insanely risky things & it worries me so I keep up the prayers….
That’s why we love him because he is so endearing & engaging!
I am so thankful for the unique Ross & his sense of self!
Ross & I are fellow survivors of traumas & that connects & keeps us devoted to each other and the incredible things he continues to accomplish. I cheer him on!
Yay Ross!!
Sandra!
You know perfectly well that I’m only curt and seemingly unkind every third Thursday!
BIG hug!
Hahahaha!
Big hug Ross!
Touché! 🙂
Life seems to have a way of connecting us to the right people at the right time.
Keep up the great work Ross!
I sooo agree with your comments Dan! For awhile now, I have been dying to connect with someone or something that has a connection to an old house!! It’s been a dream of mine since I was a freshman at U of M, and drove throughout downtown Detroit’s Brush Park neighborhood. Didn’t know what it was called then, just was driving around with my mouth open for the whole day!!. Because I am “stayin home” , I finally had the time to look up via the internet this very topic. And, lo and behold, I’ve found Ross and the Cross house. I’m still making my way through all the articles. Including Ross’s online store.!!! GORGEOUS!! I’ve done much of the same only to table lamps, including lots of other stuff. I absolutely love restoring stuff!!!
Ross, you are SOOOO entertaining!! And thoughtful. It makes me want to drive to Kansas and see it all. Obviously, I’m not doing that at this moment in time. But, Ross’s words and determination, grit and know how inspire me. Since I’ve been in the hospitality industry since 91 and have served and taken care of some of the richest and most influential people in the world and worked for a two-time James Beard awarded chef and opened many a restaurant it makes me want to apply for the job of Ross’s gentleman’s gentleman, a la butler to the Cross house. Oh, that WOULD be a job! Wow!
I know, crazy, but at this particular time I’m dreaming big. Lol….
Anyways. Thanks Ross, for being a light! in this uncertain time. 👍😁
You’re hired, David!
Cool!! I’d definitely take you up on your offer. I know it sounds crazy, but I think it would be an awesome adventure! Seriously!! Got a resume to prove it too! 😊
Your blog posts are always fun and inspiring. You and Doug may want to look at this one.
https://www.georgiatrust.org/endangered-properties/a-george-f-barber-house/
A good reminder lesson of Don’t judge a book (or house) by its cover!!!
Looks great, also the wood looks to be very smooth even and will match perfectly with your other doors. Wish Doug was around to fix my mum’s 1900s summer house door, also the timber walls could do with his help. Your house so fun to follow and it’s great that so much of the original can be put back in place.
Dr. Doug, wood working god. New door a treasure today that few can master of skills from our past. New door perfection of beauty. Dr.Doug’s karma….. master builder from long, long ago.
Just amazing Dr. Doug fell for Cross House in a big way most likely waiting for the one to come along making the dream come true for the house to become restored to again new. He was really smiling at the house having already decided to work on Cross House. Can anyone of us think of finding a stranger standing in our yard saying I came to help you put your house back together and I work with wood. Dr. Doug knew the new owner was a kindred spirit or the guy, Ross, would not have bought the house.
What a great story. Wish it would happen to me. I am so jealous. Gotta love both of these guys. My kind of people!!