UP ON THE ROOF ...

You ever have one of those days? You're taking a nice leisurely walk like you do every day, and then you notice it. Yesterday it was a house, today it is a roof. What happened to the rest of it? Did it sink or vanish? I'll be taking a new route tomorrow. Some things are better left a mystery.

HOUSE TO HOUSE SEARCH

I happened upon this unusual looking cottage. It has a certain charm. The placement of the rocks above the first floor was different. The details of the house carried over to the carport was a nice touch. I don't know anything about the house but I'm sure there is a story here. Next time I pass by, I may just knock on the door.

LIFESTYLES

While out photo hunting early yesterday morning, I passed this house. I was struck by the door. Certainly unique;a 'one of a kind.' The light coming into the house is the rising Sun. The house sits on the beach and the Atlantic Ocean is in their back yard. "Life's good," and no, it's not my house.

STONE UPON STONE

This is another of the Famous Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix. This shot was taken from street level. While there is not much "mushroom" to see, you can see a good bit of the stone work. It is amazing to behold. I did not have a wide angle lens, so this shot will have to do. It is said that the architect/builder hid these stones till he could find a suitable use for them. It seems that he found it.

THE HODGES LODGES

This is another example of unusual things people put in front of their homes. This Totem Pole sits at the start of the owners driveway. I apologize for the poor quality of the photo;a pocket camera and a moving car. It features fish at the bottom, a bear, and an eagle. It is beautiful, expensive and one of a kind. I can't imagine what they would do with it should they ever sell the house. They will just have to find a buyer with the last name of Hodges.

FEED YOUR HEAD

There have been several photos on this blog showing what people put in front of their homes. You have seen stately lions, welcoming pineapples, and even a stop light. This one may top them all. I present to you, "The Guard Rabbits." The significance and the symbolism escapes me. I did check, and no member of The Jefferson Airplane lives here. Maybe the inhabitants were a little too fond of one of their records! Maybe, just maybe, a former magician makes his home here. Any thoughts?

HOMES OF HARBOR SPRINGS-PART 4

Over the last few weeks, I've shown you some of the beautiful homes of Harbor Springs. Most were built in the early twentieth century. Today, I thought I would show you a preview of what a CDP blogger will be posting one hundred years from now. The little number above is a prime example of an historic home in the making. It sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. It combines traditional architecture and modern materials to produce a house that is ageless. Hopefully, I can get another photo before I head south (in other words, before the first snow fall). Another reason I chose this house, you are gazing at only half of it. It is huge. Far too big for me. Good help is hard to find these days, don't you agree?

THE SMALLEST ROOM IN THE HOUSE? THE MUSHROOM!

As we continue on our road trip from yesterday's post, we drive through Charlevoix, Michigan. We happened upon this house. It is one of the famous Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix. They are the product of the late architect and developer Earl Young. Allow me to quote from Marj Levin of The Free Press, "The best way to describe them: Think about the digs of Hansel and Gretel. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Little Red Riding Hood's grandma." Well, you get the picture. They are charming beyond belief. If you are interested in reading more about the Mushroom Houses, you may click the above link or here. This area of Michigan is really into mushrooms.

HOMES OF HARBOR SPRINGS-PART THREE

Just another "cottage" in Harbor Springs. This one sits on a bluff overlooking the harbor and the Bay. Many homes incorporate stone in their foundation and other places. 

This little number sits on the Bay. Again, note the stone foundation.

HOMES OF HARBOR SPRINGS-PART 2

One of the more fascinating aspects of Harbor Springs is that almost nobody knows about it. It has been referred to as "The most exclusive summer resort in the midwest" for well over 100 years. An article in Town And Country Magazine said, "If Norman Rockwell had ever visited Harbor Springs, he would have found enough work for a lifetime." The short time I have been here, I can only amplify what the magazine said. The above summer "cottage" has been in the Thomas family since the 1920's. It is called Cedarmere. The photograph only hints at how truly beautiful it is. Scott and Zelda would have fit right in.

DO I HEAR THE SUPREMES ?

This is the last of this week's series on what people put in and on their lawns. The person that put the above item in his or her lawn had a specific reason. It piqued my curiosity so much that I headed for the door to solve the mystery. As I approached the door it hit me. Whatever the reason he had would never be as good as what I imagined. So, I smiled and retreated laughing all the way. So, dear reader, fill in the blank yourself. I guarantee you it will be better than any reason he had.

TREVI FOUNTAIN NOT

This is number three in our series on what people put in their front yards. This is another McMansion. The front yard has been replaced by a courtyard. And right in the middle is this fountain. Rather nice for a private residence, not your typical, run of the mill, garden variety fountain. The thing that stuck me, however, is that it must be awfully difficult to navigate in a car given that it is smack dab in the middle of the driveway. They really need  "Go Slow" sign on the front gate. Perhaps, a little less ego and a bit more common sense. We should all have such problems.

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

This is number two in our series of what people put in their front yards. During the last decade, people have been buying houses, tearing them down, and erecting what we affectionately refer to as McMansions. They usually build a house that is larger than the original one and considerably bigger than the lot was designed for. Thus, less yard and greenery. You are looking at the entire front yard of this oceanfront home. So, they personalize it by putting their art work on the wall separating their yard from the neighbor's. It is a rather interesting sculpture of a garden. No weeding, fertilizing, or watering. Looks perfect every day of the year. Found, the eternal Spring.

ANYBODY SEEN THE BABY'S BLOCKS?

This week we begin a series on what people put in their front yards. There are so many variations on this theme that we will probably revisit the subject from time to time. A good example is the sculpture above. Abstraction. Geometrical. Modern. It speaks to the inner conflict of man. Yea, sure. But it is intriguing. 

FROM CORAL IT CAME

I was wondering around various parts of the city the other day and came across this unusual house. It appears to be made of rock and mortar. The only rock we have an abundance of here is coral. Yet, while researching coral houses in South Florida, this one is not listed. Regardless, it appears to be Feudal with some modern touches. Very interesting, very strange, very out of place. 

 

STRANAHAN HOUSE

Stranahan House was built as a trading post for settlers and the Seminole Indians in 1901. It has served as a post office, community center, and town hall. It was built by Frank Stranahan and became his residence in 1906. After his death, his wife Ivy continued to live there until her death in 1971. The house has been restored and named to the National Register of Historic Places.  It is a popular place for weddings and various fund raisers in the city.

THE PHILEMON NATHANIEL BRYAN HOUSE

This is another of the original houses constructed in our city. It was built using locally made hollow concrete block. The style is Colonial Revival which was very popular at the time. During World War II, it served as a boarding house for young women whose husbands were in the service. It is, also, the oldest remaining example of residential masonry architecture in the city.

HISTORICAL HOMES

This is THE KING-CROMARTIE HOUSE. It was built in 1907 by Edwin T. King. He was a boatwright and an early citrus grower. He was also the town's first builder. This was his third home which he built on the south bank of the New River. It remained in the King family until 1968. It was constructed with Dade County pine. The house is a four-square Georgian style. It was originally one-story, a second floor was added in 1911. It was barged to this site in downtown in 1971 to save it from demolition.

HOME SECURITY

Here is another example of what people put in their yards. These statues are guarding the front entrance to this house. I asked a friend about the symbolism. He said that they were used as "protection" against evil spirits and bad luck in the Orient. However, I thought lions were only in Africa while tigers would be more appropriate. Maybe someone out there can clear up this confusion. They are very beautiful what ever their origin. 

STATUARY

There are many things people personalize their yards with. You will find many on this site. Some are the standard things you can purchase at your local home center. Others are true works of major or minor art. All say something about the person who put it there. This one for instance. He is either descended from a buccaneer or really does not want any solicitors. I am sure it is not in working order. You have, however, been forewarned.