Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Why Don't ALL Houses Have Large Windows?

As I sit at my double-height dining room, gazing out the south-side wall which is all windows, I am watching a squirrel sit in a tree in my backyard, way up high. I wonder, "How high up is he?" I start to imagine myself standing next to the tree's base and pick where the 5ft mark would likely be. Then I move my eyes up, in increments of five. He appears to be about 50 ft up, just sitting there on a part of a tree limb that jets out and is very narrow. As I sit and eat my cereal, he is eating, too. The sky is brightening, with a streak of pink next to shades of light blue. And then he leaps to another branch and another and another and scurries out of my view.

Just beyond that tree are the backs on the houses on the next block over. All have that typical, double-hung standard house window which allows light in but is too small to see much out of it. I wonder why? Why did the windows my husband designed to be in our new dining room not become the norm? Why don't all houses have really large windows to observe the outside?

My mind starts to wander more and I start to think of Laura from Little House on the Prairie and the house Pa built on the prairie. It also had small windows. But then, Laura and her family spent all day outside, easily seeing episodes like the one I am viewing. Then she headed inside her prairie house to sleep. So big picture windows weren't really needed, not to mention cost-effective or energy-efficient. A house's purpose then was more for shelter than a place for sitting and making observations.

But as I sit here this morning, eating my cereal in my warm home, looking out my energy-efficient windows watching this squirrel, it seems to me that windows could evolve. I am very grateful that my new house has windows that bring the outside in! Maybe soon, all houses will have windows like my house does!



18 comments:

  1. Sally, your house is gorgeous! I have a 17 ft. ceiling in my living room with doors and windows that allow the outside to be inside. Like you, I could watch a squirrel climb up high. These moments are gifts. Happy Day One!

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  2. Sally, your house is gorgeous! I have a 17 ft. ceiling in my living room with doors and windows that allow the outside to be inside. Like you, I could watch a squirrel climb up high. These moments are gifts. Happy Day One!

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  3. Really large windows to observe and watch and see! YES! LOVE the house! Happy slicing!

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  4. Wow! LOVE seeing your house! YAY to having an architect husband! If I had windows that high, I could see the tops of the trees in my timber.
    (But how on earth do you reach the top to wash them?)
    Happy Slicing, Sally!

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  5. Wow! LOVE seeing your house! YAY to having an architect husband! If I had windows that high, I could see the tops of the trees in my timber.
    (But how on earth do you reach the top to wash them?)
    Happy Slicing, Sally!

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  6. You described your scene so vividly- almost made me want to have that view (I live in the city and love it). I do appreciate big windows. Great slice!

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  7. You described your scene so vividly- almost made me want to have that view (I live in the city and love it). I do appreciate big windows. Great slice!

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  8. I can relate to the part where your mind wanders to Laura and Little House ... I do that sometimes too, when thinking about the differences in houses and living conditions. I love that you and the squirrel were eating at the same time.

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  9. I can relate to the part where your mind wanders to Laura and Little House ... I do that sometimes too, when thinking about the differences in houses and living conditions. I love that you and the squirrel were eating at the same time.

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  10. Such a perfect slice, Sally - you captured the warmth of a favorite place in your home. And that is SOME window!

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  11. Such a perfect slice, Sally - you captured the warmth of a favorite place in your home. And that is SOME window!

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  12. I love your story! My library at my college had floor to ceiling windows. It was my favorite place to sit and be with nature. Your story resonated with me.

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  13. Love your story! I love big windows, too. My house has an all season sunroom that I spend my time in overlooking my deck with birds and squirrels! thank you for showing us yours!

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  14. I like the image of you and the squirrel eating breakfast together!!

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  15. Hi Sally! Great to read about you sitting in your home!
    I love windows too, all kinds. Big ones like yours and small semi-circles in thick adobe. I like your musings on Little House on the Prairie and their structures and lives. You know what sticks with me from your piece? The new colors streaking the sky. They put me there with you.

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  16. Hi Sally! Great to read about you sitting in your home!
    I love windows too, all kinds. Big ones like yours and small semi-circles in thick adobe. I like your musings on Little House on the Prairie and their structures and lives. You know what sticks with me from your piece? The new colors streaking the sky. They put me there with you.

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  17. That's the best part of my new renovated classroom. It has huge windows! The light makes life better:).
    So fun to see Anne on SOL!

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  18. That's the best part of my new renovated classroom. It has huge windows! The light makes life better:).
    So fun to see Anne on SOL!

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