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puzzle pieces

Monday, January 3, 2011

Abandoned

There is an old house I pass by on my usual running route.
For some reason every time I go by, I wonder why it sits empty.
What reasoning is there for it to sit lonely and abandoned.
And I find myself imagining what I could do with it.

On a walk one very cold day- 
(when my excuse NOT to run and just walk was because it was too darn cold!),
I decided to venture in to the yard.

A very daring thing for me. 

One: I hate getting in to trouble. 
And even though there is no- No Trespassing sign, 
I tremble when I  picture the entire scenario of being run off by the owner.
Two: Abandoned Places hold me in awe...for their character, as well as the thrill of wondering just WHAT IF someone still lives there....real or otherwise. 
I mean...seeing a face appear at a window from an old, abandoned building would be....

quite the thrill.


I made a trail through the snow to stand in front of it.
Walking not at my usual pace, but in a thinking sort-of pace.
Taking in the windows and old screen door.
The worn off paint and crumbling foundation.
Tree branches reaching in through the gaps in the walls.


Stopping directly in front, I noticed other things.
Jagged, broken glass in the large front window.
A set of old Christmas lights dangling off the roof and swinging in a freezing breeze.
Steps which once were tread upon .... with eager and happy feet.

I stood thinking about other times this home had seen.
For it HAD been a home.
Now, just an abandoned house.
~
After a time I walked away.
Wondering if one day this old home will ever be fixed up or made right.
I also wondered if  I was to turn fast enough....if I just might see someone waving at me through the window.

But I didn't turn again to find out.
(And my thinking walk.... turned back into my usual (and bit quicker) walking pace.)
~~~
The thrill of an abandoned house.
(I need to get out more.)


39 comments:

Deb said...

oh my gosh...I am so with you on this one...I wonder the same things....you were very brave to go up an take a peek...this place could be great...

Jayne said...

It would hold a sense of interest and wonder for me too Dawn. If only it's walls could talk.... wouldn't you just love to see it restored?

Joe said...

I hate to see the old places left to waste away. We have a lot of old barns in my area that are that way. Most were built over 100 years ago from hand sawn timber.

Changes in the wind said...

Thanks for taking us along on your adventure...I too love old houses and often wonder what they would tell us if they could talk.

Nancy said...

And I thought you were going to go inside. Maybe next time? I need to see what's in there!

I love old houses... but I hate seeing them like this. Such a waste. But your photos and story were indeed suspenseful. :)

Unknown said...

I love to imagine families who have lived there in the past. I dream of birthday parties out in the yard, Christmas decorations on the front of the house, flowers and a garden. It's so heartbreaking to see homes abandoned and neglected.

Thanks for having the courage to take these photos, I enjoyed them!

~Andrea~

Anonymous said...

I like this little suspense story!!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I just love abandoned places too. I've posted a couple of pics on my site in the past of abandoned spots I love. They hold such mystery!

Leah J. Utas said...

Abandoned places fascinate me. I wonder what stories they have to tell.
And I always expect to see someone at the window.

A Prelude To... said...

Brave girl!
There is a house by my in-laws that I've always thought was vacant. Boarded up windows, total disrepair and when we were walking by it one day, I asked my MIL how long since someone had lived in this house and she said "someone DOES live there". so...that probably would have kept me from getting too close to your abandoned house ;-)

I've always had a fascination with old abandoned places - but more so with shipwrecks. I really should learn how to scuba dive.

TexWisGirl said...

Imagine the forgotten treasures inside the place! I went back to my childhood home after we had moved out (the landlord told us he wanted to tear it down but left it standing for many years). I walked back through it (with permission) and was stunned to see how small the rooms were compared to my memories. But I loved seeing all the things that were commonplace to me - wooden baseboards, old linoleum, heater vents, loose floorboards, peach paint, huge utility sink. But it made me sad to see it left wondering where our family went. Years later I returned again and it had been torn down. And I was sadder still...

Rambling said...

How sad ... poor house. It would probably cost more to fix it up than to build a new one. Still it's hard to see something so neglected!

Judy said...

I love checking out abandoned buildings. I'll even peak inside while my heart is pounding the whole time. If only walls could talk.

sage said...

Such places are sad when you think about the possibilities...

Pat Tillett said...

GREAT post! These kinds of places (and photos of them) fill my brain with questions. Who? When? Why? What happened?

Out on the prairie said...

I liked this post. This house still has a lot of charm, plus outbuildings to investigate.I would have tried peeking through the windows.The bedroom upstairs has that sloped ceiling that for a big guy like me, you would bonk your head if not careful.Many times they combine farms and leave the house.

Paul C said...

We have several abandoned buildings near our home too. Several men are currently dismantling the barns and saving the weathered barn boards for who knows what creative applications.

Hope said...

interesting! this house captures me too! Any abandoned buildings do and my mind goes into curious imaginations and starts to create possible scenes of life exploding from the rafters and walls.
it's sad to see it's neglect. makes me want to restore it myself.
sure makes me curious about it's story

thanks Dawn

Val said...

You are brave!! I wonder what kind of history the house has? Very cool.

LBB said...

I was also hoping you might have peeked inside! I'm so curious on what has been left behind.

Kristin said...

Me too! I love abandoned homes - but they are so rare around here - I love your shots and the story made me smile - so did the thought of you running in that weather! We live in the desert and 60 degrees is cold! You are amazing! xoxo

Barbie said...

If I had me some money I would buy that house and restore it to its former glory. How sad for it to be ownerless.

Jimmy said...

I always wonder myself why these places are abandoned, I see so much potential for each of them to be returned to a happy place, a home.

The wonder of what they were and what they are now is a thrill, and I know there is a face smiling at you as you ponder the fate of these old houses.

Alli said...

You're braver than me, I'd been to afraid to walk up leaving footprints in the snow. It's a good question, about why they're abandoned. My dad's house is a little out in the country and there are a few abandoned homes out there that seem as if they haven't been occupied in 50 years or so.... It does make you wonder. What will happen to our homes in the future? Will they continue to provide memories for other happy families in the future? Hmm....

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

I'm oh so with you on this. Thought these are hard to find in my part of the country. In our capital I would get more lucky shots ^_~
Enjoy this new week of the new month of the new year, sweet Dawn xxxxx

Farm Girl said...

Well I would go explore with you. When I was a kid, my Mom would go out on a drive and she had a thing about old abandoned houses. I can't tell you how many we would walk up to and peek in. I remember looking into this grand old lady house and it had a huge staircase like you see in movies. It was beautiful but they tore it down for train tracks. I still think about it and wish we had taken a picture.

Lowell said...

I love to photograph abandoned houses. I think I should take lessons from you. A great series of shots and your commentary is right on and done with a certain humor that is also poignant! Beautiful post!

Jo said...

I bet that was an adorable place in its day. I love the design.
Old abandoned homes and factories have always interested me. You just have to wonder why it has been left in the way it is.

Tracy said...

What a cute little place...too bad it is abandoned because it would be a beauty! I think like you, it certainly is intriguing and calling out for some attention! you going back?

Widge said...

Love it!
ooohh this is what my inner child LOVES!! I would so have HAD to go in there when I was 10. It's too curious.
Like something out of a book.
Why do we have to grow up and get all sensible? ;)

Michelle said...

I love the thrill of an adandoned house! lol It is the small things in life!

Jack said...

It has a beautiful setting. Let us hope . . .

Randy said...

Wonderful post. But that cute house is sad and needs someone to love it. Love the photos.

floweringmama said...

A house is a house but it takes a family to make it a home. What a great post. I just love old houses and always wonder what secrets they hold.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

First, I applaud you on still walking in the freezing cold (I usually resort to the treadmill). Second, what an adventure! You captured it so well in pictures and words. How exciting. :)

Rick said...

A spooky coincidence - there's a similar looking abandoned house (minus the snow) a few kilometres up the road from us - I passed it on the way home today. I'm not sure if it's being demolished or restored by someone who is stripping away the old siding, and now there are log beams exposed underneath (*ding* - idea for photo).

Love your photo series and your story, Dawn !

Hilary said...

Oh I'd have been right there with you. I'd be peeking in windows and hoping nobody would peek back at me. Thanks for taking us along on your mini adventure. :)

nicole said...

looks like my kinda place...minus the snow...I left the alberta winters for rainy california ones and there is no going back!

Carole Barkett said...

looks like it once was quite a nice place, makes you wonder :O)