If You Have A Door Like This, Please Don't Throw It In The City Dump

Why is it that Walla Walla doesn't have a method for reusing highly sought after building materials. I need a front door like the one pictured and it disturbs me that there are probably a bunch of them, along with other vintage treasures in the city dump. Having a resale store for building materials and architectural salvage run by a non-profit is a win-win situation for Walla Walla.

First of all, it makes sense. Our community is supportive of sustainability and is promoting greener practices. We need to lessen the amount of waste and recycle, especially when there is a secondary market for the highly sought after usable products.

Secondly, if Walla Walla had a non-profit willing to run a reuse center, as other communities have, contractors and homeowners could donate these items. The benefit of tax write-offs is substantial.

Thirdly, a non-profit reuse center could provide employment and job training. Retired tradesmen could be enlisted to mentor and offer their talents in such ways as appliance repair, electrical rewiring, woodworking and more. This project would be perfect for The Sustainability Center if supplied with some sort of grant for start-up costs.

And finally, there are people like me in Southeast Washington that treasure the quality and uniqueness of vintage architectural salvage and would welcome a local source.

Unfortunately, I passed up this beautiful door from The Restore in Ballard because I was unsure of the size; and my SUV could only hold two interior doors and several ceiling fixtures. By the time I got back to Walla Walla and rethought the idea of trekking back to Seattle, the door was gone. I'm still looking for my solid mahogany period door to grace the entry to The Haven. Both of my current exterior doors are cheap, cheesy, non-wood products purchased from a local big box supplier before my time. If anyone knows of a door available, stop the truck headed to the dump, and send them my way.

Springtime Is Upon Us

Springtime in Walla Walla is like no other. The blossoming trees and blooming bulbs in most every yard are a sight to see while walking the beautiful neighborhoods around downtown. On my travels, I continue to shake my head in acknowledgement that I finally get it. Coming from a land that has no major temperature changes throughout the year, I never understood those that said they loved seasons. Praise the Lord - I now get it.

It was about four years ago.... I was sitting at the bar at Whitehouse Crawford contemplating moving to Walla Walla, but fearful of the weather. I asked the bartender friend of my daughter, Jenna how he had adapted to "seasons." His philosophical approach about seasons having more to do with just the weather got my attention.

Now that I have been in Walla Walla for several years, I know that there is a cycle to the year and we are part of that. To me, springtime represents a renewal after a winter season of quiet contemplation. Projects happen and new ideas are put in place. Summer for me is a time for casual simple pleasure. Fall is a time to wind down, celebrate our bounty, and to prepare.

While enjoying the seasons in Walla Walla, I still find myself struggling not to be barefoot year-round. I suppose that you can take the girl out of Southern California, but you can't take Southern California out of the girl. But that is a story for another time. Now is the time to get busy.