What, A Basement?

The Midwest, unlike Southern California consists mainly of brick buildings, hardwood flooring, and tall narrow structures. They also have this hidden world called "The Basement." That could be the name of a mystery novel couldn't it? Anyway, the kids have a basement where they store the same junk we put in garages as well as the washer and dryer that their landlords kindly let them use..

FREE OF CHARGE!

However, for those of us not accustomed to such dark, damp places, it is a bit creepy. First of all it is damp and dark. Everything is cement block and brick so it is cold. The stairs are narrow and a bit steep. More creepiness. Once you get to the basement "room"

you are okay except the ceilings are low and the walls are cement block. Now there is nothing wrong with any of this, but it is just so different. Growing up in Indiana we had a basement and I remember playing in it as that was sort of our family room. But I do not remember it in the same way as this basement. I am finding that the older I get, the childhood memories are becoming less reliable!

The good news, I will be returning to California with suitcases full of CLEAN laundry just waiting to be put into drawers. That leaves some time for grocery shopping, picking up the held mail, paying bills, preparing for my consulting jobs in November, and the Shore Mgmt. staff meeting. Reality is soon to hit, but what a wonderful trip for this retired teacher.