*under construction*


08 January 2009

Hidden Lives

Little Beach Shack, what secrets do you hold? Hidden beneath your window sill donned in thick evergreen paint are traces of your former lives ...


Sanding back the paint I see that when you were new, your window sill was crisp and bright white. Did small pots of herbs sit on your happy sill? Did roses grow beneath and dance lazily in the gentle sea breeze? Did children peek in the window and speak to someone baking cookies in the kitchen?

Tired of the white, I see you then sported a warm terracotta red - I bet it looked lovely against the creamy stucco. Spanish looking and inviting. I venture to guess that the bougainvillea by the front door was planted during this life -- the one with treasures buried deep within it - an ancient string of Christmas lights and a small green garden bell that fell deep within the thorny branches when the slender rope holding it rotted with age.

Bright school bus yellow was your next season. I can't help but think of a sunny side up egg with this color combination, and wonder who lived within your walls during this part of your life. Were beach cruisers with baskets leaned against your walls and surfboards stacked on the peg slats by the back pergola? What flowers grew in the window box, beautiful then, neglected and now desiccated underneath your sill?

Your green phase followed -- first with a light, bright green, followed by a deep evergreen. This is how we found you. The people who dressed you up in the shades of the Torrey pines didn't do a very good job. Somewhere care began eroding, and dilapidation was allowed through the door. Paint was just slapped over the peeling paint beneath. Your happy windows were painted shut. Edges were sloppy and the oily deep green smeared well into the stucco. I think they just wanted to cover up the sunny yellow in more ways than one. Mission accomplished... but, worry not. The oppressive oily mess is all gone, now.

The next era -- the golden era -- going on the 80th year of your life -- will soothe and revive you, sweet little cottage by the sea. Desert shadows, sea salt and ocean pearl are in your very near future, will renew your weary spirit, and I think you will be quite happy, indeed. It's my way of giving you a gentle and loving hug.

... The Guest House exterior is almost done, I'm working on the trim while Poor Tired husband is on to the Main House! HOORAY! (That is the kitchen window sill pictured above)

12 comments:

niartist said...

I missed you today! :( But - got my dose of your beautiful prose, and that will suffice ... for now. :)

Carla said...

I love beach shacks. Australia has it owns version and they are knocking them down. Carla

Blue Muse said...

Sorry Twin! I had to work hard today! PTH is such a task master lately! I'm counting the days until the exterior painting is done - then it's a SPA DAY for me! xo

Hi Carla! Your winter wonderland photos were amazing!! That's really sad about the beach shacks over there - we have several friends that follow the surf to Australia every year and they said the same thing! :( I wish I could save them all! I love them!
xo

Bedtime for Bonzo!

Ness Lockyer said...

Here in Tasmania, Australia the beach shack is alive and well. Tassie seems to have a great respect for anything old and simple life abounds. I am enjoying your blog and look forward to seeing more of your makeover. Well done for rescuing your sea princess.
Ness xx

cottage farm villa said...

This is such a great photo. Your words are just beautiful! I am so happy to have found your blog. ~ Cheryl

thank you for stopping by!

ps. the homes in your neighborhood are sweet and unique.

Naz said...

I haven't been around to comment because I've been sick. Not a good start to the New Year. But I digress, I love the color that's been chosen. It's all going to work out beautifully.

Hidden Lives and your discoveries were beautifully worded. If walls could talk than you just spoke for them.

Blue Muse said...

Ness, I'm so happy you stopped by. I love that name -the sea princess - maybe if the beach shack comes out really well, I will change the name to that! xo

Thank you for your kind words and your visit, Cheryl - come back anytime!

Naz HUGS!! I'm sorry to hear that you've been sick. I was wondering about you, and am glad you resurfaced - I have no way to get in touch with you, so I just waited. =) I hope you are feeling much better and that all is well. You were missed very much, and I'm glad to see you. Thank you for your very kind words XO!!

Naz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jerseygirl211 said...

Dear Isa,

I'm happy to see that you are getting more visitors who enjoy your blog and the 'coming alive' of your beautiful little beach home. I can imagine how tired you and husband are and hope that the work ahead of you goes smoothly. I'm so pleased to see that I'm not the only one who talks to their 'things', I did the same thing to my geese yesterday as I removed them from their Christmas position, polished them, and asked them where they'd like me to put them now.:) Of course my words weren't as poetic as yours, but I'm sure they understood me.;)

Take care....

Hugs
'D'

Helen said...

Your precious beach shack has taken on a persona of its very own and I love reading about it....

Naz said...

I went to the doctor's yesterday and now I'm hoping the meds work.
I keep thinking about starting a blog but that's as far as it's gotten. lol

a quiet life said...

damn you write well~

opps i swore...

naz i hope you are feeling better, and jump in, its FUN, but slate a whole bunch of time, its an endless snowball of great people, ideas and pics!