On Friday, I went out for a few hours to have brunch with a friend in from LA, and when we returned to the house, Connor wasn’t at the front door to greet me, like he always is. I called out to him and he still didn’t come. My heart started pounding, and I ran upstairs to see if he was asleep on or under my bed. As I got to the top of the stairs, I glanced in the bathroom, and to my horror, I saw Connor peering in the window at me!
The windows at this house have low sills, about two feet, and somehow, he’d managed to climb up, go through the blinds and break through the metal screen and get himself onto the roof over the mudroom and first floor bath. Luckily, the hot weather had broken, and I wasn’t gone for long. Even luckier, he didn’t panic and go over the edge. Never in a million years would I have thought he’d do something like that. It really rattled me. I closed all of the windows and checked that things were closed up tight.
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Things are progressing at the house. I got everything out of the old house and turned in the key, glad to see the end of that chapter and move on to a new one. I had my first guests for dinner, although they kindly brought and cooked dinner on the grill that they gave me as a house-warming present! Thanks, Chefs!
There are vast spaces without bags and boxes! Although, as you can see, there are a lot still waiting for a space to present itself as the perfect landing spot. I have the furniture in a good arrangement for now, but I am also sure that it will be moved as things clear out.
For the past few years, I’ve had a chandelier stored under my bed. I bought it at a car-boot sale at the local rugby club in Wales. It was in hundreds of pieces and I ordered the fasteners from London, and put it all back together. 
I was given an incredible brass floor lamp. It’s probably French, as evidenced by the plug on the cord. I thought that since I had to replace the electrical cord, I could marry the two pieces and have a nice lamp for my bed-side. 
The brass part of this weighs at least 20 lbs. and has wonderful little paw feet. I love the scrolled leaf.
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I thought you might like to see some pictures of the little neighbourhood where I am living. This is an old water tower. It looms over everything and you can see it from different parts of the area. Yesterday, they had some bands playing at the tower as a fundraiser for its restoration.
It seems like everyone in the neighbourhood has some sort of garden. My neighbour across the street is growing blackberries, tomatoes, squash, and mint. I saw this terraced garden filled with beautiful blue hydrangeas. 
I am having such fun exploring the streets and lanes of Hickory Heights, and am so pleased that you’re along for the adventure!
That chandelier is waaaaaaay too pretty to be hidden in your bedroom (not that you don't deserve pretty things in your bedroom.)
ReplyDeleteCan you explain the neighborhood differences boundary-wise between Hoes Heights and Ham-Rol?
Good gravy!! Conner is practicing to be a peeping Tom. Glad he is ok though, the little rascal.
ReplyDeleteILLG... HH has very specific boundaries, while HR is very general.
ReplyDeleteGood grief. My neighborhood had a dog through the window drama too. This dog being "babysat" was left alone by "babysitters" -- ( 2 dogs in new surroundings plus being left alone-- ) this dog from what I understand, scratched up the door to then break through the window with divided lights (6 over 6 window panes) I saw the renters repairing the damage today. What is it about dogs not liking being left alone in a strange place?? Perhaps conner needs to be desensitized to you leaving. The terry Gross interview with a John Bradshaw spoke to this issue . The owner needs to deconstruct the cues-- pick up keys, set keys down, pick up keys walk with keys, set them down etc till you are at the door to leave to only walk back in then to do that again for a bit longer and return quickly all this to set the dog a ease that you will return-- perhaps the podcast is available of this author and terry gross's interview on NPR
ReplyDeleteConnor needs a cape if he's going to be super-dog! Sounds like settling in is progressing - before you know it you'll feel like you've been there for ages!
ReplyDeletexo Cathy
Poor Conner. My guess is he just misses Pigtown! He's not used to the peace and quiet. No police helicopters overhead, no sounds of gunfire in the distance... it's culture shock!
ReplyDeleteI hope you will find methods to calm his new anxiety. Poor boy.
Poor Connor! Extra doggie treats for him!
ReplyDeleteAnd love the chandelier/lamp idea. Great French brass
Welcome Home!!!
ReplyDeleteWeirdly, I always shut the windows when I leave because I've imagined my dogs doing something like that. Must have really given you a fright!
ReplyDeleteLove that chandelier.
I would have given myself a heart attack in your shoes...poor Connor, poor you! But, on a happier note, how lucky you are to have such a pretty water tower nearby. I turned down a house because of a hideous tower looming over the neighborhood, rusted and decrepit. Your neighbor's garden looks inspirational for your own retreat...and once you have time to play in your yard, Connor will much rather hang out there than on the sun deck!
ReplyDeleteAnon... I heard this story on Terry Gross and have been practicing it with Connor. Each time I come in the house, he gets a treat, too.
ReplyDeleteHe's a major Houdini and has been known to get out of the house with four people blocking the door.
LOL Story about Connor was hilarious. (Of course, it wouldn't have been so funny if he had gotten hurt. Thank goodness that didn't happen!!) Maybe he was trying to get a suntan???? LOL
ReplyDeleteYou might think about getting babygates for the windows in your upstairs. Or, can you pull down the windows from the top, so that the tops are open, but not the bottoms?
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the chandelier.
Hugs to you!! Can't wait to see the new casa sometime in the next couple of weeks. -- M.A.
OMG! My heart skipped a beat...or several over Connor!!!! That poor, frightened boy! He will adapt but I hope sooner, rather than later. Do you crate him during the day when you are at work?
ReplyDeleteOne skipped beat over the chandelier...too marvelous for WORDS!!! Good idea to marry the two. Excellent!
So glad Connor is OK. My dogs are everything to me and I treasure them as you do him. The new place will soon be home to him, the longer you are there.
The house is looking great!! Jones went through the screen at my daughter's house while she was babysitting him (I was away)--fortunately, the neighbors found and caught him. These guys, the loves of our lives, will try their best to find us when in new surroundings. Glad that life is unfolding for you. Mary
ReplyDeleteJust love the house, not so much the scary story about dear Connor. Poor guy, and I can only imagine how frightened you must have been when you saw him looking in at you.
ReplyDeleteThe chandelier is so lovely and graceful. Enjoy!
The new neighborhood sounds great.
Glad Connor is okay! The chandelier is loverly, however, I still covet the little piece of artwork in the background (and I'm sure you do too), which I believe you said is your old homestead or old neighborhood, can't remember which. A fine bit of art.
ReplyDeleteMy $.02... It's Edgar Allen Poe's house, painted by my mum's 2nd cousin. I have that and another. Haven't hung them yet, they're just propped up!
ReplyDeleteMy Daughter had a window walker too.....never leave the windows open or always leave the dog out, or with the neighbors (but not on the roof.)
ReplyDeleteConnor will come to call this home..... because YOU always come back,............. with a new chandelier, a new chair, a new rug, a new.......
I am so glad you have your own house!
Your dog is just trying to compete with how cool you are. He's like, "Built your own chandelier, eh? Watch THIS!"
ReplyDeleteANd he looks so innocent in that photo! I had an afghan hound when I lived on the 14th floor of a New York apartment building. Needless to say, I never let the dog out on the tiny terrace. I had fears he would jump over the edge after a bird!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad sweet Connor is ok. He is a precious dog and I just love his photos! Julie in Alexandria, VA
ReplyDeleteI knew a yellow lab once(not mine) who broke into the house of friends of his to play. Crashed through the screen door. I suspect Connor saw something, like a chipmunk, and forgot where he was until....oops. You can buy gates and window guards through Orvis, or check Dr. Foster. You can also buy interior electric fences, but all of these things work better with smaller dogs. Poor Connor, but I'm glad he's OK. The neighborhood looks lovely.
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