Reuse

Nearly three years ago
we planned to build a house
to accommodate G's continued physical decline.
What we didn't know at the time, but later found out (in spades)
was that we were actually already in a recession.

In blissful ignorance
I made some purchases for the new house
of architectural elements
from homes about to be torn down.

This beveled glass door with beautiful brass hardware
was one of those purchases, from a 1920's home in our village.

By the end of September 2008,
with the stock market crashing
and my stomach plummeting,
I put our house plans on hold.
And the things I had purchased sat, collecting dust, in our garage.

Two years later, we started a remodel of our house,
working within the existing footprint,
to accommodate G's continued physical decline.

Happily, we were able to use this piece for our new front door.

Because a new size opening was required,
and the opening was tailor made for this door,
the door is an excellent fit - which means little air leakage.
Good for our energy bills in winter and summer.

But that silver lock! Has got to go.
The lock needs to be replaced
to fit the same key used by our other locks,
and the locksmith tells me he can get it in brass,
to match the original hardware.

Oscar likes the new door, as he can still look out the window
(as he did with our old front door) at passersby.
Good for barking at passing school buses.