In the “Real World” of old Saint Paul—as viewed from my back porch, “Pruett’s Pig Powders” indicate that it is currently a very pleasant 61ºF, and our lens-assisted eyes tell us the sky is partly-cloudy, with the recent “Blue Moon,” no longer full, but shining brightly in the southern sky.
“I ran into Jay M. Saturday,” I said, after a sip of the usual organically & shade-grown, fair-trade, Sumatran-Roast coffee, “while walking my “Step-Dog,” Daisy.”
“Jay M?” Medford replied, while stirring his usual cream & sugar into his porcelain, not china, but made in China, Codger Collectible Mug, “Isn’t he the guy who lives near Boomer, by the church?”
“That’s the one,” I replied, “his re-siding and window replacement project has been completed. He has some painting to do yet, but the house looks great.”
“Cedar? Hardyboard?” Med asked after a moment.
“Vinyl,” I said, “he expressed some concern about what some of his neighbors might think.”
“That’ll please the restorationists,” Medford, with his usual sense of irony, said.
“He’s a bit worried about that,” I added, “they believe that all maintenance such as windows and siding should be done with an eye towards restoring the home to its original appearance.”
“But isn’t the idea to preserve the home?”
“Yes,” I answered, “but the restorationists believe that siding MUST be wood, and grudgingly accept hardyboard. Gutters and downspouts must be copper.”
“That is all good, and would be the preferred way,” Medford said, “but too expensive for most.”
“Some of the purists,” I concluded, “are only too eager to spend other people’s money. Preservation takes many forms, and the importance maintaining our fine old homes supersedes pure restoration.”
“True, without preservation, there’ll be nothing left to restore,” Medford agreed.
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