September -December 2022

 Window Pain

Pete and Joe installed this second hand window at the top of the main staircase. Its single paned, but its in a hallway and hopefully not where we will ever be sleeping. We'll see how it holds up against the winter months, when the hall is insulated and sheetrocked.

Turning Up The Heat (eventually)

Pete took the keyhole radiators apart in preparation for cleaning and painting. All of these second hand radiators are a risk, we don't know if they are damaged until the paint is stripped down and they are reassembled. We've already had one in the basement that was installed and then leaked. Luckily it wasn't really needed, as we have two there that heat the basement just fine.

These are going to be spectacular if they hold up!

I helped Pete bring all the radiator parts to the basement in November, so they are one step closer to being worked on.

Flora and Fauna

We caught this nursing deer on our backyard camera💕💕💕

These creepy crawlers were at the bottom of forgotten coffee mugs left behind in the library.

I know the "cat lounging in front of windows" pictures are getting redundant, but here is Steve looking out of our front windows. 

I love seeing Steve getting to experience new views of our yard. We will have many window perches for him to sit on.

Scram, Cat!

Also under Cats You Probably Don't Care About, Ring security cameras added an audio feature that plays a recording when motion is detected. "Hi, you are currently being recorded" it says.  It seems to scare the crap out of this black cat. All the other animals in our yard notice it, but this cat is the only one that bolts when he/she hears it. Oddly, the audio is an inaudible mumble on the video, although its clear in person.

There's no way to tell from these videos, but I hope all of these cats are indoor/outdoor models and not feral cats breeding like crazy in the neighborhood. Ideally I would like capture all of them to get them spayed/neutered if needed.  

 

New Acquisitions

Pete got this eye gouging coffee mug at a local thrift store, along with this much safer skull mug. 

The Yes, But artist drew this illustration about these mugs! I really like these (always) two panel cartoons. There's a book for sale as well.

Yes, But on the Gram

I bought this kitty pitcher at a local antique shop.

Its ear is damaged, but the piece retains its charm nonetheless.

Pete and I were in Massachusetts this September. I bought these cabinet cards featuring angry ladies having a bad day, flattened hair styles I've never seen before, and a woman who looks like Andre the Giant's great grandma.

Dad got me these lovely Currier and Ives ladies for Christmas. Thanks Dad!

Inspiration

Wings Castle

It was 1969, and Peter Wing returned from the Vietnam War, full of angry energy. I don't think the war was the catalyst that inspired this structure entirely.  According to what I've read, he was always a bit wacky. Like thrown out of a funeral for laughing wacky. 

  

So Peter Wing came back from Vietnam and proposed to his high school girlfriend Toni on his family land in Millbrook, New York. He told her he wanted to build a castle on the property and put her in it.

Who would say no to that? 

With no architectural or construction training, the couple worked on the castle for 44 years, stopping when Peter Wing died in a motor vehicle accident in 2014. Their son Charles finished the last building his father started.

Mr. and Mrs. Wing with their two children.

Pete and I visited Wings Castle before we were married. At the time of our visit a free standing structure was being built (now called the annex) that would later be a bed and breakfast. On a piece of MDF board was written something like "I must remember to be kind and civil to others." Pete and I like to visit unusual structures when traveling, and we've met a few homeowners that seemed to be distanced from reality in an uneasy and foreboding way. Seeing that sign would have been one of those fight or flight moments if it wasn't for our tour guide who seemed completely level headed. 

Most of the castle is made with second hand/recycled materials. Peter and Toni Wing purchased 13 old barns and deconstructed them for the raw materials. They also deconstructed a decommissioned railroad bridge by blowing it up and took the newly liberated boulders for building material. Did they get permission to do this? No idea. I'm guessing not. During our tour the guide mentioned that some government entity gave them a hard time for stealing rocks from public land. Reading about the exploding bridge I now know there is more to the story.  I'm sure the full story was told after the statute of limitations expired for illegal bridge detonating.

  

Unconfirmed, but this may be the bridge the couple blew up. Jeez, its like a Roadrunner cartoon.

Elephants from a circus were cared for at Wings Castle. It looks like they may have provided free labor, moving rocks around.

There are several suites available for rent, that portal in the center is the entrance to the dungeon room. The buildings are attached via subterranean tunnels 

This is the dungeon bedroom

The Annex, started by Peter Wing and completed by his son Charles. 

Table for outdoor dining or human sacrifice, you decide.

I love these copper turret finials!  Check out the scalloped pattern on the one in the back.

The outdoor areas are perfect for private lounging.

The views of the valley are really impressive! Part of the original Wings family farm is now Millbrook Vineyards. 

Of course every castle needs a moat. This moat is a swimming pool where you can swim under the castle.

This is my buddy Emma enjoying herself in the hot tub. She's stayed at Wings castle at least once. I understand one of her friends brings castle appropriate pool floats. One year it I think it was a unicorn float. 

                                                                Maybe this one?

The main reception hall really stood out to me when we visited. Peter Wing was a professional sculptor; he carved the Victorian lady in the above photo.

There are so many beautiful and inspiring details at this magical castle! If you have a chance to visit or stay here take advantage of it. Its a two hour drive from New York City.

Photos from messynessychic.com, The Wings Castle Instagram page, and my dear friend Emma Cant Dance.

Sterling Collection

The Crosley 51 SD Radio-1924

We've received several pieces of antique electronics from the generous Mr. Sterling. This old radio piques my curiosity, what were people listening to on these receivers in 1924? When I think of the beginning of radio, I think of the 1940s. However, by 1915 short wave radio was a nerdy past time for a small segment of the population.

In 1920 the first commercial radio station began broadcasting in Pittsburgh, which led to a spike in build it yourself radio kits. On February 12, 1924 President Calvin Coolidge spoke on the radio in New York City. It seems like the British were a few years ahead of us in broadcasting in 1924,  playing music, announcing the weather, producing radio plays, and airing church services.

By 1926 NBC was founded.

Headphones were the only way to listen to the radio in the early 1920s

Is this the same Crosley still in business today, that makes vintage repro portable record players?

The headphones are stored inside the radio

The inside of the headphones are made from Bakelite.

I would love to have this radio restored. With a quick search I found someone on Youtube who brings these dinosaurs back to life. Maybe someday............

Poetry Corner

This one doesn't get dirty until the end of the first column.