Artistic Meanderings

Pick 10 people and give them the “you make my day award.” If you’re picked, you are charged with picking 10 of your own. Actually, everybody on my f-list makes my day, so this is a “narrowing down” kinda thing for me.

I gave up after awhile in getting it down to 10. I wound up with 11, plus my son  and my beta-reader . I could have gone further. Aarrggghh!

Now, go ye hence and make your own lists – and make someone’s day.

As for me, well…

, another birthday fic? Can I take another year to write it? Seriously, I DO happen to have an old plot bunny, never finished, that *sort* of falls into the H/Cuddy category. It’s called “The Sisterhood of House Survivors,” and I’ll work on it sporadically and actually get it finished for you.

Eventually. *g*

The move went pretty good overall. I now live in a very old, very awesome historic district of Springfield, Illlinois called Old Aristocracy Hill. About four blocks east is Lincoln’s Home. Three blocks NW is the State Capitol Building. A block and a half NE is the Governor’s Mansion. Seven blocks away is the Old State Capitol building, and across from that is my workplace.

The building I live in has been designated a Historical Landmark. I asked the owner why (other than the fact that the building is nearly 90 years old) and got the rundown:

It was the first skyscraper in Springfield (all five stories of it *g*.)

It has the first elevator that when you push a button, it goes to the floor you want – and it’s still in service. That’s a fact – I use it everyday, sliding gate and all. I believe that elevator was one of the first of its kind in the States.

There are other tidbits he told me about – from the ancient boilers they finally had to replace for economical reasons to more modern, efficient ones; to the local elevator inspector bringing friends in just to show them the ancient elevator. The building is solid, poured concrete, walls and floors 12-18 inches thick. The apartment trim is actually painted metal. Supposedly if there was a fire the only thing that would burn is the contents.

It’s also a government bomb shelter and can with stand some sort of ridiculously huge blast.

If there’s a tornado my walk-in closet would probably be as safe as going to the basement – that’s how solid the building is.

Security in the form of two maintenance men given the extra duties of security guards patrol the halls at night.

I really think this building is Springfield’s best-kept secret. No fancy advertising, no pool or tennis court, no elaborate “extras” that modern apartment complexes offer to get you and your money. Just an old, formerly swanky building with a Ragdoll Lobby Cat, an old lady who runs “yard sales” from one of the side doors, and overall, faded, old antiquity that I am really enjoying.

I was lonely the first week. I remedied that a week ago by going to the local shelter and adopting a brown mackerel male tabby they’d called Paws. His new name is House (did you expect anything less?). At the time I didn’t adopt his brother, not really thinking that after nine solid years of being together that they might miss each other. House is happy here, but he’s off his feed a bit and I’m sure he’s pining for his brother (or sister, not sure which yet). Right now brother Socks is in isolation until he gets over his upper respiratory infection. The shelter has instructions to call me when he gets well so I can adopt him as well. Anybody wanna guess what I’m gonna name him (or her, if female, won’t matter to me)? *snicker*

Peace out…