I recently received a note from Holly & Billy sharing some of their memories of their years on Craig Place. I am including it here, so please forward this on to anyone you know who might "fit" as this home's new caretaker. -JB
"When we bought this house in late 2001, we were sure we would love it, but we could never know just how much. It had some rough edges that we knew we needed to take care of quickly-and we did. With time, we have worked to smooth over many of those edges that were necessary for us to live comfortably and happily.
Now, nearly four years later, we have done a good deal of 'smoothing'. We have succeeded in painting a multitude of rooms; re-roofing the utility room; screening in the front porch; adding exterior lights and some new wiring/electricity outlets; laying a new kitchen floor, putting in a biergarten (patio); adding many new appliances, including three a/c units, a fabulous stove (with a griddle in the middle), a large capacity water heater; and repairing, replacing, and improving many other aspects of our grand house.
We not only feel at home here, but we also feel safe and secure on our block in Beacon Hill. Nice, neat, friendly neighbors, and vigilant peace officers and community members help to keep our houses secure.
Here's the top 10 things about our house on West Craig Place:
1- Sleeping with the leaded glass French doors open to the screened-in balcony
2- Hanging out on the biergarten having a 'grill party' with our friends, the Beacon Hill regulars!
3- Having the luxury of closing off one floor from the other-- when children need to sleep upstairs or teachers need to grade papers, and band practice is going on simultaneously downstairs!
4- Being isolated from the street by the Pomegranates, Loquats, Bottle Brushes, and Mountain Laurel (which smells tremendous (and is full of lucky ladybugs) the first week of March every year).
5- Swinging on the porch swing.
6- Having a house so big that there is even a room devoted to the cat box!
7- Writing a dissertation in a bright, breezy, open office.
8- Watching our dog Palinka run like a stallion in the giant backyard!
9- Having dinner parties with the doors open off the downstairs porch.
10- Having two full bathrooms and enjoying the privacy that brings!
11 (!)- Smelling the tacos and enchiladas from Garcia's across the street.
This house has helped us form so many lovely memories. We hope others will have the opportunity to take advantage of our favorites and add to the list!"
Holly and Billy Hansen-Thomas
April 2005
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