Thursday, July 05, 2007

That Attic Smell

Attics are always a source of material for the imaginations of young people. Think about how many children's books take place in attics. Steamer trunks that lead to different worlds live in attics. Poor little girls living in boarding schools are relegated to attics and then saved by rich neighbors. You could even see the famous Wardrobe of C. S. Lewis hanging out in an attic (I know, it was in a room at the end of a hall, but you could imagine it being in an attic). I think it is more than the fact that kids can climb up there alone and explore. There is something about the smell of the wood heated and cooled by the outside air year after year, the "cathedral ceilings" as they are called by real estate marketers, and the deep recesses and shadows. Attics are just cool.

Grandpa's new house has an attic. And while it's a new house for him, it's not a new house to our family. This was the house my mother grew up in. And her bedroom is up in the attic. One, single room with a nice hardwood floor and a big double window carved out of an unfinished attic with wide sub flooring boards exposed, and cheap wood paneling hastily tacked up on the ceilings. It's a great place for kids. There are boxes to explore. They can all be together on one floor, but if they want to get away to some privacy, they go behind the bedroom wall in a corner to be alone. There is one bed set up outside of the bedroom. Grandpa refers to that as the dormitory. He has visions of the kids all sleeping up there on that bed and the cots and other blow up mattresses. I hope he can get some carpet up there soon so they can take their shoes off while they are up there. Right now it is sliver city. But they still love it. Its away from the adults. There is elbow room. It is very dorm like. And it captures their imagination.

I think they will very much look forward to staying at Grandpa's house. Even if that attic does get a little hot in the summer.

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