The Cape part 1

I'm honestly not sure if I've mentioned how much I love quirky, old houses. The quirkier, the better. I mean, I would be awed and impressed by Malfoy Manor, but unless I found and accessed some hidden passages, ala "The Blameless Vestal's Lot", I would quickly become bored. The Burrow, on the other hand, would fascinated me.

The house we stayed at this weekend was more Burrow-style, i.e. really quite quirky, fairly old - though not ancient - and not at all grand. Built around 1840, it's obviously had at least one, probably two additions in the last 170 years. It was an old, family house.

( House pic and mild description )

Next day, we saw the river shining at us through the remains of the night's fog. The house is - at most - fifty feet from the water. I opened all the windows I could in our part of the house, including the one over the stairwell, and then we started the day.

Our host asked what we wanted to do after I'd had time to look through the guide books he'd put out, and as I skimmed through it, something caught my eye: The Edward Gorey House! Edward Gorey had a house on the Cape! And it was CLOSE! O.M.G! I don't often turn into a fangirl (takes too much precious energy), but I literally bounced when I saw that. So, we went.

( Gorey photos )

(The links to the scrapbook seem to be broken.  I'll try to fix later, but right now I need to just step away from it. Before I harm my innocent computer.)

So, that made me happy. We had also gone on a short nature walk a few blocks over and that was nice, but nothing special.

( Botanical walk pics )

We then went back, had lunch and rested for the rest of the afternoon. Mostly on the screened porch overlooking the water. Babe entertained himself either drawing lighthouses (we hadn't seen a real one yet, but there was a large model of one near the living room that he was taken with) or playing legos. Geoff and I read. Our host napped. It was wonderful.

( Two random photos from Saturday )

That night during dinner (I cooked: red cabbage and onions seasoned with garam masala and balsamic vinegar, sauteed zucchini, summer squash, onions, garlic and mushrooms, mashed sweet potatoes and salad, while Geoff cooked the steaks) our host asked Babe what he liked best about the house. Babe ignored him. After a little conversational wandering, I repeated the question. Babe ignored me. The host moved on to ask us grown-ups what we liked best about the house. Just after Geoff finished (the porch and the wood-paneled room atop the second staircase), Babe had to go to the bathroom. When all the adults were back at the table, I told our host that Babe was scared of the house. He'd admitted it to me earlier in the day, while the sun was shining into his room.  He'd attributed it to all the different angles of the roof, though that seemed more like a tangible excuse for intangible unease.

Our host was not surprised by Babe's fear. Turns out, the house is haunted.

He told a tale about how when his sister's friend first came over, she had asked who the older lady who'd been sitting in the living room was. Host and Sister said, "Um...?" and asked her to describe the woman. The description fit their grandmother. Seems she haunts the living room. The one room I found myself avoiding, even though it was rather central and light.

Host was going to go on about the other paranormal activity in the house (with the teaser that Babe's room was the most disturbed) when Babe was ready to come back. We talked about other things from then on. Unfortunately, I didn't get any further information after Babe had gone to bed, but we will eventually. Host has suggested that we all (including the rest of the group who was invited but couldn't make it) try again in the spring. I have no idea how some of the others will like the house, but I'm completely on board with the suggestion.


Sunday will be a separate post.  (Photo post is here.)

Meme

I'm going to catch up all at once, because all three answers tie in with each other and today's events, as it happens.

Day 21 – Your job and/or schooling
Day 22 – Something that upsets you
Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better

My job, as of the last five and five-sixths' years, is trying to take this wild young cub I bore and turn him into a decent, independent human being.

This job is upsetting. Often. ( A shitty example )

On the up side, though, there are signs that I am doing my job somewhat well. After all, he has only had one warning about keeping his hands to himself this month/year at school, and hasn't needed another yet. He is upstairs in the shower cleaning himself off without my supervision. And doing so without a big battle or rages or any of that wildness. He truly is become a decent little boy. There's a LONG way to go yet, but he's getting there. We're getting there.

And his hugs and laughs are worth it. Gosh, I hope his real laugh is as wonderful as an adult as it is now. It's one of those infectious, joyous laughs that just lightens the load, no matter what load you're carrying. I know it will change as his voice changes, but... Hopefully the joyous, infectious quality will remain, even if in a masculine form.