Thursday, November 29, 2012

Bone Yard




Is my house me, and am I it?

While visiting relatives in another town, my brother-in-law drove my DH and me to see a very uniquely-decorated house that reminded me of a book I read to my children (it was their favorite for ages) so many times that the following quote is branded into my memory.
“My house is me, and I am it. My house is where I like to be and it looks like all my dreams.”
In The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater, Mr. Plumbean discovers the joy of creating a house that expresses his individuality. Eventually he converts his stodgy neighbors to his way of thinking, and their neat street becomes an avenue of dreams incarnate. 


The premise is a lovely fantasy that few of us get to experience in reality—at least to the degree that Plumbean and his neighbors do in the story. My own abodes have leaned toward the mundane rather than the exotic. The extent of our non-holiday-related yard art has been a frog bird bath, a rock garden and a gnome.

The house that captured my brother-in-law’s attention is adorned with animal bones. Decorative fences are formed of thighbone posts and chains of vertebrae, for example. I had to stop the car and photograph this unique, fascinating place.

What does the house tell us about the people who live there? Are their dreams nightmares? Or are they people who look for the beauty in everything?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?



© 2012 Sarah Raplee

5 comments:

Paty Jager said...

I think everyone tries to put a bit of their personality into where they live. I think it's an innate part of being human to make our home ours. As for the photo of the bone yard...I think it is their way of grabbing attention.

Judith Ashley said...

I have outside Christmas lights up all year round. I love driving up my street at night and seeing the colored lights outlining my porch roof. Bones? Not so much. The best I can say is 'that's unique' - which is probably much better than "Ewww". But I can remind myself that beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

Diana McCollum said...

Having seen said house for myself, as my husband was driving the car that day, I can say "Ewww" for Judith. It definitely catches the eye. But definitely not eye candy! Gave me the creeps. Then again, it would be interesting to know the story behind the "yard art"!

Sarah Raplee said...

Paty, I believe you're right - and I'm curious, too.

I love year-round twinkle lights, Judith. :)

Diana, you know my reaction was also 'kinda creepy!' Now I'm curious.

Anna Brentwood said...

Thanks P.J., Ashlyn and Tonya for sharing your experience and viewpoints today. You are as always, inspiring and in a way, pioneers and I wish you all the best success possible!