The Thomas House

 "

This used to be known as the Brownstein House," said Mom, referencing the name of the family that built it back in the late 1940s.  

With no offence to the Brownsteins, the house is locally known as the Thomas House and has been for the better part of 60 years. Being close to downtown, the house is somewhat iconic and connects to scores of people from multiple generations. Each kid had a circle of friends as did the grandkids that grew up in Kamsack. Mom and Dad nurtured many friendships over the decades. All spent time at the house and know it from a glance. 

The balcony was the natural spot to put a basketball backboard. As it got damaged when a tree fell, I took it down and trashed it after 40 years. 

I spent several hours doing things that just a few years ago would have been done by Dad. Instead, he sat in his chair soaking in the sun while I painted the balcony trim, cut some branches and straightened out the fence. Dad was a guy who patched things up. Remnants of his handy work can be found everywhere in the yard. The house was largely my mother's domain and feels less cobbled together. 

Dad watching his beloved Blue Jays as their season comes to an end

Doubtless, when they decide to give up this house (if they ever go down that road), it will be a lot of work for its new owners to bring it up to snuff. Under the carpets, upstairs and down, are beautiful hardwood floors. The walls are largely lathe and plaster, the style in the days before drywall became the building material of choice. The plumbing and quite possibly all the electrical would need to be upgraded. It would require a significant renovation. The same reality was true for my grandparents' house after they died. The new owners did a brilliant job upgrading it.

In my heart, I hope they are able to remain in this house until they absolutely can't. Ultimately though, it's their decision and we'll support whatever they need. 

My cousin Shelley dropped by for a long overdue visit. She serves on Town Council and holds down several jobs. Of a similar vintage, her and I have a lot of war stories to share and know many of the same people; we are only one year apart. 

Today, the daughter of one of my dad's best friends is driving in for a visit. I'll see my friend Warren and my brother Keith tomorrow. The visits are appreciated and. enjoyable to me.

The view to the west as the sun sets for another day

I slept through the night again, though it was harder to get to sleep now that my body is getting its required rest. 

I walked to the Co-op Gas Bar for my morning coffee. It was surprisingly fully staffed.

"Isn't today a national holiday?" I asked. "I'm surprised you're all working today."

"We're fully staffed every Monday," said the attendant in a matter-of-fact, life goes on kind of way. 

"I'll be back for another in a bit," I said as I walked out the door to battle the northwest wind and walk the two blocks back to the house.