This rendition is by Heart at the Kennedy Centre with the original group in the audience. It was performed for the first time in 1971.
There is a lady who is sure all that glitters is gold
And she is buying a stairway to heaven…….
My legs ache as I trundle up, what feels like the 100th time, the four levels of our staircase to the road. The garden debris duly deposited, I make my way down again for the next load. The overgrown garden is getting a facelift. I tug away at strings of rampant creeper and slowly the magnificence of this garden is being revealed. There are all sorts of treasure troves beneath this blanket of green…..two earthenware pots, old garden tools and discarded lights. As I unearth each object there is an unraveling of the story behind this house.
Two earthenware pots emerge from the undergrowth….
There is a feeling I get when I look to the west…..
This wild child was designed and built in the 70’s and is a real mix of eclectic west coast charm. Plenty of light pours in from the large windows and skylights. Besides her cheerful disposition, this old rocker was due for her Botox rejuvenation. It seems that she has had 2 other owners besides us. Each adding their own taste in style with ‘creative flair.’ As a result some cohesion and updating was necessary. I can assure you…..not all of it cosmetic either! Most of the updating centres on the damp issue. The house is built on rock and where you have rock, you have water. The scourge of any home owner up near the Grouse Mountain.
The original plans of house in the forest…..
And a new day will dawn for those who stand long,
And the forests will echo with laughter…….
I hear you saying……why no house inspection? The Vancouver house market is so vicious that if you request a house inspection, you lose the house. We had already looked at so many mouldy oldies and this one certainly captivated us with her forest and her stream. It was a choice we made with our eyes wide open. We had to just jump in and swim! And swim we did, with the reality of what lay ahead of us. In record time renovators were organised. Matt, you are a gem! You have taken charge with such professionalism. Each week brings progress and with that my sleep pattern improves. So far floors have been ripped up and it has revealed this lady’s checkered past. We deal with each of these transgressions in turn. A gas line will be brought down from the road for heating and cooking. Areas are being damp proofed, gutters replaced and electrics updated. But always the one to prepare for the unforeseen. I have bought myself a really fancy new bathing costume…..just in case!
‘n Ruskansie ……
Ooh, it makes me wonder
Ooh, it makes me wonder……..
Our lease on the apartment expires this weekend, the fate of our cars unknown, we have an unfinished house and our dear hound sits in the kennels! We are joining the ranks of the homeless in Vancouver! On the bright side, we have a 70’s rocker who is dusting off her dancing shoes. She is about to emerge from her chrysalis and will be rejoicing in her new found splendour!
Her second childhood has begun……
There walks a lady we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How everything still turns to gold……
Toronto Calling 