Dotage Domicile

We started building without a complete set of drawings (to say the least). This is something I would NEVER advise my clients to do, because it becomes a race to keep one step ahead of the contractor. Mitch told me that I could move in by December (ahem, of what year?). I’m highly doubtful that my house warming party will be a Christmas event. A Purim festival—maybe.

March madness

But pretty soon there will be a roof, to be followed by wiring. I have to make a decision about whether or not to have recessed lighting. I love the look of a clean, uninterrupted ceiling, but will I have enough light with just lamps? Building a house at age 60 presents certain issues. How will I live in this house as an old, old man? Will I be able to see by lamplight? Probably not. I have 12 foot ceilings.  Changing a recessed fixture in a 12 foot ceiling will surely lead to a broken hip. Pendant fixtures are looking better and better.

The house is one story, because I knew even from the beginning that walkers and stairs are a tricky combination (forget about wheelchairs). With a little extra blocking, bathroom towel bars could easily serve as grab bars. I draw the line at The Clapper, but what do you think about this: instead of a motion detector, an anti-motion detector.

I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!

Trekking in and out of the house with heavy firewood will be out of the question, because it requires two hands, and how will I hold my cane? I have to make sure there is adequate storage for firewood in the house. I’d consider faux bois, but I draw the line at remote control fire starters.  I don’t think man ever feels more virile than standing at a hearth and lighting a fire.

I don’t want to think of this house as my Grey Gardens—the walls crumbling around me because I’m too decrepit to do anything about it. I have to be realistic about how the house will function and the ways in which I will not.  Aesthetics cannot be my only concern. Let’s just say my house will be “age sensitive.”