Our house is old. Very old. So old that it pre-dates heat pumps and modern electricity. At this point in the post, my mom is cussing me a little because she was in middle school when the house was built, which means I'm calling her old. Sorry, Mom. Don't fuss.
Anyway, the old furnace grate in the hallway now serves as the air conditioning intake, so it cannot be covered for fear that we will hinder proper air flow. Children who have come through this house over the years have all approached this grate in different ways.
When I was growing up, I always carefully stepped around it, stepping on one tippy-toe on the thin strip of floor that runs along side of the grate (and I still catch myself doing that). Jacks never allowed the grate to hinder his movement, and he generally went right over it as if it wasn't there, even when he was crawling. My parents' dog Abby refuses to walk over it, and she insists on being carried over the grate. I have seen kids leap over the grate, study it carefully before walking over boldly, and some have even taken baby steps along the side with their feet turned sideways.
Nealy has finally been introduced to the grate. She's been crawling for a while, but she has stuck to one side or the other, unsure of her approach. She finally attempted it the other day. By now she's okay with it, and she just goes right across. But for a few days she would finally get the guts to crawl on to the grate, then she would get confused, upset, and stuck until someone came to save her.
That's one more thing to love about living in my grandparents' house - I get to see my children discover the quirks of this house just like I did as a child.
*yes, I realize that I grouped my parents' dog in the "children" category.
**yes, i realize that there is dust and crap hidden beneath the edge of the grate. I'm fine with that, and the fact that I'm not fastidious or OCD makes me like me a lot more.
***I have since observed Nealy Bug's little toes curled into the grate for leverage. This makes me laugh.
Anyway, the old furnace grate in the hallway now serves as the air conditioning intake, so it cannot be covered for fear that we will hinder proper air flow. Children who have come through this house over the years have all approached this grate in different ways.
When I was growing up, I always carefully stepped around it, stepping on one tippy-toe on the thin strip of floor that runs along side of the grate (and I still catch myself doing that). Jacks never allowed the grate to hinder his movement, and he generally went right over it as if it wasn't there, even when he was crawling. My parents' dog Abby refuses to walk over it, and she insists on being carried over the grate. I have seen kids leap over the grate, study it carefully before walking over boldly, and some have even taken baby steps along the side with their feet turned sideways.
Nealy has finally been introduced to the grate. She's been crawling for a while, but she has stuck to one side or the other, unsure of her approach. She finally attempted it the other day. By now she's okay with it, and she just goes right across. But for a few days she would finally get the guts to crawl on to the grate, then she would get confused, upset, and stuck until someone came to save her.
That's one more thing to love about living in my grandparents' house - I get to see my children discover the quirks of this house just like I did as a child.
*yes, I realize that I grouped my parents' dog in the "children" category.
**yes, i realize that there is dust and crap hidden beneath the edge of the grate. I'm fine with that, and the fact that I'm not fastidious or OCD makes me like me a lot more.
***I have since observed Nealy Bug's little toes curled into the grate for leverage. This makes me laugh.
6 comments:
Remember that Beau wouldn't cross it either, and once when a rug was put over it he didn't buy it?
I never trusted the grate when I was growing up either.
I think it is one of the coolest parts about living in your grandparent's house- bringing up the memories you had as a child. I cannot wait for Ryan to run and play at my grandma's house in MO. Kate already has the best time ever in that house. Kim and I always say it is the only house we know of where Kate can stay indoors all day and stay completely entertained!
Nealy's face is so funny in those pictures!
I love it...a blog about a grate! and so entertaining. I love that Neely gets "stuck" on the grate...too funny!
you guys going to be able to make it to Ryan's b-day party?
Beauregard LitleBig, of Country Lane (aka "Beau") had strong genetic memory from his Corgi ancestors who were herding dogs. Beau would not cross the grate because he recognized it as a cattle grate, which Corgis DO NOT CROSS. He also would not allow anyone to pet him with their foot, because deep in his memory he knew that feet can HURT.
Bob is correct about the rug. I even tried a sheet of plywood, but Beau KNEW not to cross a cattle grate, even a hidden one.
Jacks and Nealy have adjusted very well, but will also scoot along the wall when the grate hurts their feet.
Abby (also a orgi) must be carried across. Every time.
We're afraid of the grate because it used to get HOT!
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