March 26, 2009

sometimes I just can't help myself.....

do you see the little stone doorway on the left
?
it whispered my name
and
invited me in
where I discovered this little room
waiting for me
~~
standing there
thinking about what furry animals might be calling this broken house "home"
and
feeling a little uneasy
I knew I just couldn't turn back
without looking through the dark doorway
that was slowly pulling me closer
and
around the dark damp corner
I found this stairway carrying the same magical power as the rest of the house
so
slowly
step by tested step
I climbed to the top
only to discover a floor that was weak and worn
and
unable to hold me
~~
so I stood at the top of the stairs and looked across the room and out
what might have been the front door
and
then slowly and satisfied
I climbed back down those red stairs
into the musty darkness

relieved
to see the door in which I had entered
~~
and
as I turned back for one more look
with the safety of daylight at my shoulder
I took a deep breath
and
a little smile emerged
~~
because
that's what happens when you do something you love


17 comments:

  1. Very cool Beth! Don't you wonder what the stories the house might hold? Ahh the possibilities...

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  2. what a rich treat...
    you had me at every turn!
    ...
    ELK

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  3. Oh sweetie, you took me gently by the hand on this journey. Your bravery made me well up with tears.

    xo

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  4. What a captivating storyteller you are, Beth! We share this, too -- being lured by doorways, stairs leading down, up, shuttered windows. In Italy, about 300 yards from our hotel, an 800 year old home was being gutted (to be, then, renovated and turned into more of the sleek, modern hotel) ... on a rainy day, no workmen in site, my camera, my brother and I mosied on over there and covered that stone house from cellar to attic. All original shutters and latches, original stone floors and stairs, window frames 3 feet thick, bits of original tiles, a fireplace in the kitchen that my even my brother, at 6'-6", could stand up in with plenty of head clearance -- it had stone benches on each side of it, that's how huge it was ... about 40 million old wine bottles in one room of the cellar (& another 20 million spiders and crawly things) ... we both finally just lay on the cool sunlit floor in one of the attic bedrooms, with the floor-to-ceiling shutters thrown open and a view on the Tuscan mountainsides like no other ... satiated.

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  5. I bet it was a beauty!

    I love that porch. How many people must have sat out on it on moonlit nights...laughing, talking.

    Breaks my heart a little to see it like this.

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  6. I know exactly that feeling - of having dared to go where you would have never dared..and being so happy that you actually did. Love this little adventure you've shared!!!

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  7. I love adventuring....and I'm glad you were not hurt in the making of this beautiful blog.

    :)

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  8. This was my first visit to your blog and I loved your post. It was captivating. I am glad you did not fall through the floor. lol. I think there is an adventurer in all of us. Thanks for sharing. Toni had mentioned you on her blog and that is how I found you. Take care, cinner

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  9. Beth,
    I've lurked about your site many times. You have a fabulous eye and a sweet exciting way of sharing a story! I'm struck with one thing...you're quite intrepid! And, I hope to follow your lead. Thanks for the blessing today!

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  10. It must be so interesting to explore these old buildings. Imagining the history and of how might have lived there.

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  11. Enticing journey. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. Awesome! I cant count the times I have done just that. I am a big fan of old houses and luckily so are my parents so this sort of thing was common for me growing up.

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  13. WOW! You've captured another awesome abandoned house. Great shots!

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  14. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh.... Wonderful, wonderful.

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  15. Hi Beth,

    Rather spooky place this! You are brave to wander in among the damp, dark, creaky corners and the furry inhabitants!

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  16. totally awesome beth!!
    did you find any treasures inside??
    xo

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**I love reading the comments you leave, as they make me feel like we're sitting in my kitchen, having a cup of tea, discussing life and wondering where all the time has gone ...beth