Squint Shot 050510

These spindles can be found along the staircase up to the second floor of the Harmon Real Estate building. In the late 1970s, work was done on the outside of the building, and (I'm kind of supposing here) possibly some work was done on the inside. The Fowlerville Jaycees used to use some of the rooms on the second floor during this same time.

Squint Shot 050410

From the basement through the main floor and now up the stairs to the second floor -- we are in the Harmon Real Estate building, also known as the Sidell Block and before that the Palmerton Block. These double doors are at about a third of the way up to the second floor.It was dark on the other side of the doors, but I had my trusty flashlight with me. This is the door handle. Tomorrow we head up the steps.

Squint Shot 050310

So often I am pointing my camera upward. This time, though, it was directed to the floor. The doorway away from the coal shute back into the main area of the basement in the Harmon Real Estate building has this well-worn doorsill. I actually had to stop and ponder how long this piece of wood has been here, exactly how petrified it must be, and of how many hundreds of footsteps crossed through this doorway. Untold numbers.

Spring Cleaning

A Ritual of Spring -- Words of Wisdom from Sheila Moss, Humor Columnist

Ah, Spring is here! Hormones surge... instinct takes over.. a woman's thoughts turn to... HOUSE CLEANING! Yes, it's true! Dust is in the air. It is time to celebrate the honored ritual of spring house cleaning.

It must be a primitive nesting instinct, the urge to renew and revive. Suddenly it becomes apparent that your house resembles a college dorm room.

Here are a few of the tell-tell signs.

~~Your front door has more fingerprints than the FBI.
~~The dust mites are having an anniversary party under your bed.
~~You are wearing clothes from the floor of the closet - inside out
~~Your family is eating off paper plates so you don't have to open the cabinets.
~~You need a gas mask when you open the refrigerator.
~~The kids can't find their toys -- in fact they can't find the toy box.
~~The garbage disposal is coughing.
~~You can't find the cordless phone unless it rings.
~~You can't turn on the ceiling fan without creating a dust storm.
~~Your chore for the day is to find the vacuum cleaner bags -- and the vacuum cleaner.
~~The remote control has been lost in a sofa crack since the end of football season.
~~The kitty litter is a concrete block.
~~The cat has been missing for three days.
~~There is something solid and black in the bottom of the coffeepot.
~~You can't decide whether to clean the windows or just buy mini blinds.
~~The dog has offered to loan you his doghouse.
~~The mail hasn't been opened since last tax season.
~~The piles of magazines may fall over and bury you.
~~You are afraid to turn on the oven because bugs may be raising a family in there.
~~You wonder if a hose down would ruin the carpets.
~~There is something sprouting in the dishwasher.
~~The washing machine reminds you of a concrete mixer.
~~You introduce your kids as the three little pigs.
~~You can't go outside because fresh air makes you dizzy.
~~It seems easier to move than to clean the house.

If any of these seem slightly familiar, you too may have spring cleaning fever. The male of the species is seldom affected. Like PMS, spring cleaning fever is exclusive to the female.

Fortunately, the cure is rather simple. Apply soap and water, disinfectant, furniture polish, scouring power, grease solvent, and plenty of elbow grease and your fever will be cured in a matter of hours, with results lasting at least till the family gets home.

Squint Shot 050210

Yesterday, we began a tour through the basement of the Harmon Real Estate building. It is what many refer to as a "Michigan basement" with colorful rocks and grey mortared -- beautiful in its own right. But what caught my eye was this black half-sized door. It extended from the ceiling halfway down to the floor. From the outside of the building, there is no evidence now of this door, but years earlier there would have been a hatch to open to allow coal to be shoveled into the basement. The now empty bins are to the left, not in the picture.

Snack-urday 164

Go . . . go . . . go on a picnic. It is the weekend, after all.

Outdoor Equipment Essentials

~~Portable grill
~~Charcoal, lighter fluid, matches (some manufacturers sell small bags of briquettes designed for one use: burn them, bag and all--no lighter fluid required)
~~Barbeque tools: tongs, metal spatula, grill rack, oven mitts
~~Games: Frisbees, soccer balls, baseball bat, ball, gloves, kites
~~Portable stereo
~~Insect repellant, sunscreen, first aid kit
~~Baking soda or small fire extinguisher to tame grease fires

Squint Shot 050110

And, as quickly as being outside yesterday, we are back inside today and for quite a few days' worth of squint shots. About a year ago, I quickly toured the upper two floors of the building owned by Harmon's Real Estate. I posted a few squint shots then, but now I've got more. I spent a bit more time and was graciously allowed by Paul Harmon to wander to my heart's content. I started in the basement -- yes, there is a basement. There is a low ceiling but plenty of lighting enable my investigations. Old hardware, crystal doorknobs (as above), and intriguing lighting kept me looking in every direction.