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Front facade of Denise's home with her climbing roses flowing over her natural picket fence.
REPOST FROM -- 6/15/14
Yesterday, I was out and about with my son -- visiting a small town that had a nice little bike shop. My son is a biker and needed some special repairs to his bike. He gets great exercise riding his bike to work in Portland every day -- twenty miles there and back.
But getting back to the small town. I, personally, was looking at the houses of the town -- the unique representations of its housing stock. Down a small residential street I found one that I was smitten with. I call the home -- Denise's place.
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Denise's raised garden beds with her garage in the background.
She talked about her house with affection explaining she moved there ten years ago. She also explained that the house had only 600 plus square feet inside. I thought to myself how wonderful. Less to take care of when one is retired. She also explained that her house is over hundred years old. Wonderful, built when houses were built with solid materials -- not thin plywood like some today that suffer damage in strong winds.
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All the time we talked Denise's large beautiful calico cat sat on the railing listening and watching us. I just had to a photograph Ms Calico as she seemed so regal on the porch railing.
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Denise has added many small touches that make a home personal. Like the old wagon and trike that sit with flowers under a small tree near her front roadway. Also she has a clump of four very large conifers sitting on the corner of her property that are notations of the its natural history.
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My lasting impression of Denise is that she
has made a home that fits her like a glove
A wonderful find. I could easily live in 600 square feet, if there was a door on the bathroom.
ReplyDeleteJoanne -- Me too -- that is enough for most folks, although most don't know it -- like you, when I find a space of 600 square feet I will make sure there is a door on the bathroom. -- barbara
DeleteWhat a sweet place to call home. I've always preferred small living spaces. They feel cozy and are so easy to manage.
ReplyDeleteTeresa -- There does seem to be a small/tiny house movement afoot in this country. If folks can't find a tiny/small house they are building sweet little places of their own. Like this idea! -- barbara
DeleteIt sounds like you had a wonderful encounter. Denise has obviously enjoyed making this home hers.
ReplyDeleteMichelle -- To echo your words -- it was a wonderful encounter and interesting to experience her way of life -- barbara
DeleteGreat that you have made friendly connection as well as captured this lovely old house. The cat, (I must say as a long time cat lover,) is probably called tortoiseshell, not calico. Calicoes have clearly defined big splotches of three colors. And all three-color cats are females. Fact.
ReplyDeleteBarbara -- Well I am glad you told me about tortoiseshell cats. I've always had dogs and am not that well versed about cats. One thing I will say about the tortoiseshell is that they are absolutely beautiful. I think if I ever were to have a cat this is the coloration I would pick. thanks -- barbara
DeleteA sweet little cottage, a cat and a garden....what more could you ask for?
ReplyDeleteStarr -- The idea that the square footage of the house was 600+ is what really turned on a few lights in my mind. I like the idea of simple and small. It blends so nicely with the ecological movement. thanks -- barbara
DeleteA wonderful story, wonderfully illustrated with your photos, all that beauty and a very grand cat to share it with. Lucky Denise.
ReplyDeleteJune -- I love the idea of having a companion animal to live with as one ages. This cat was very astute I thought. It's never too late to flourish in the life you desire. You certainly are one to flourish as is Denise -- barbara
DeleteWhat a wonderful place! Denise's cat is a ringer for my daughter's cat, that she got in Portland 13 years ago.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine out in Long Beach has a similarly enchanting small house. I'm hoping to be able to visit her on my next trip to the Northwest. And I want to get down to the Portland-Vancouver area to visit friends old and new, later this summer. Logistics are always a problem, though.
Hattie -- I just found out from Barbara (above) that the cat is not a calico but rather is a tortoiseshell cat. Either way they are both beautiful. I am still looking for a place to settle here in the NW. Love the ocean so perhaps I will find an enchanted cottage on the coast if I am lucky. Have a good time on your trip -- barbara
DeleteAnother enticing house and this time you met the owner. Perfect encounter, you got to glimpse her life and your friendly 'at ease' conversation was warming. Lovely place to live.
ReplyDeleteclaggle -- small homes always catch my eye -- they are simple yet meaningful. So much energy fizzles about with some of them. Not always easy to find -- but when I do, out comes my camera. thanks -- barbara
DeleteWhat a lovely day your had with a very special person. I'm sure she was glad to find someone as appreciative as you with whom she could share her lovely environment.
ReplyDeleteRita -- It was a serendipitous occasion. She happened to be in her yard, the sun was shining nicely, I had my camera, and her cat watched over us:)). Sometimes the time and setting all blends nicely.
DeleteDenise is my Aunt. My mother's sister. Thanks for highlighting her home. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteKathryn -- Oh do say hello to your aunt Denise for me. Enjoyed talking with her. Her home was fun to take photos of and her cat was special too. thanks -- barbara
DeleteI will soon be visiting a friend at Long Beach who has a house that looks very similar to that one. She loves living in that town and is very active with local events and enjoys working in the town museum archives, which had been neglected for years and which she is putting in order.
ReplyDeleteHattie -- I loved this little house. I have lived in all sizes of houses and the little ones are a favorite of mine. Long Beach is where my daughter lived when she was first out on her own. She also loved it. There are so many neat places where one can camp out. -- thanks barbara
DeleteI enjoyed this post as much if not more than the first time!! Denise has created a special lifestyle. Did Denise not want her photo taken?
ReplyDeleteRita -- I think 900 square feet for living is ideal. Who wants to spend the rest of their life taking care of a huge house? thanks -- barbara
DeleteDenise has found her heaven on earth. Personally, I fell for that tiny bike at the end - to many memories.
ReplyDeletevisualnorway -- Yes, her plantings with the bike and wagon were a nice touch to her home. This woman had an idea for design for sure. -- thanks barbara
DeleteOn my what a neat little home. Perfect! and I absolutely love the climbing rose...;)
ReplyDeleteTroutbirder - Yes indeed it is a neat little home. The size is wonderful for one nice lady named Denise. She is a great gardener as well as having her home look so inviting to people like me. thanks -- barbara
DeleteI would love to meet Denise!
ReplyDeleteHer home! Wonderful!
Luna Crone