Red House Roof Project
In many places of the world, this is the Year of the Rabbit — specifically the Water Rabbit. The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture and 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.
In Oysterville, it appears to be the Year of the Roof. As we speak, there is a roofing crew at the Red House removing shingles and applying acres of blue tarp. Large bundles of cedar shingles await their turn at covering the 1872 home of our great-grandfather, R.H. Espy. I know he’s smiling down and applauding for his Red House Greats — especially for David, Chief of Operations among the RH cousins.
Both the Red House and the Oysterville Church are sporting spiffy new chimneys, too — at least from the roofline up. The chimney on my lower roof is on the schedule to be repaired next week (God willing an’ the creek don’t rise). That will be the third old structure in recent months to sport a newer, safer, skyline.
New Chimney – Just like the old!
Meanwhile, all the residents of the National Historic District have been discussing, examining and answering surveys about the use of modern “alternative” materials when building or repairing their homes. As it has become increasingly difficult to get traditional materials (old growth cedar shingles, for instance) historic sites all over the United States — even Historic Williamsburg — are approving alternative look-alike materials. The Oysteville Restoration Foundation is hoping to approach the County with a proposal for changing the ordinance that specifies such matters for Oysterville. Stay tuned.
So, next time you visit the village, I invite you to look up and admire the recent improvements to the health and safety of our old buildings! Long may they endure!
He reported that he scooped up the bottle, washed it off thoroughly, and proceeded with his day. “But,” he said — and more than once — “I can’t see how that bottle got way over into the toilet.”
As I knocked at the open door and walked into the kitchen, Anna was mixing a serious looking cocktail that involved egg whites and pisco (a kind of brandy) and Angostura bitters — “pisco being about 95 proof” said her dad, Jim. “Beeg and I met pisco in Lima Peru seventeen years ago,” he told me. “We brought the bottle back with us and last night was the first time it has been opened.” Pisco Sours — one for me, one for Jim — we being the Honorable Elders of this particular family gathering.
Although, “gathering” doesn’t quite categorize what usually happens at the Red House! More of a meet, greet, and off to fly a kite or take a swim or, in the case of Anna’s husband, Rob — to paint another section of the house with a fresh coat of red. (Or at least that’s where I think he disappeared to!)
I caught glimpses of all five of the “youngers” — Lexie’s boys, Kahrs, Anders and Bo and Anna and Rob’s two, Anwyn and Walker. But not all at the same time and not all doing the same thing. Kahrs, flat on his back in the lane managing the kite flying overhead. Anwyn in the kitchen, in the back yard, down the lane, in the tall grass. Bigger kids so far out in the bay it was hard to tell who was who. No one still. Everyone having fun.
