During demo, BJR found this little tiny shoe in the wall by the front door. Her sole was thin and dotted with holes, but her round buttons were all still there. We think she’s been in there over 130 years.
Immurement.
It means “in the wall” or “walling in.”
You see, immigrants brought their customs with them when they settled the Michigan countryside. And the Kane family, from Limerick, Ireland, was no different.
When James Kane arrived in the state of Michigan in 1862, he renounced his allegiance to Queen Victoria — but his family did not renounce their heritage or customs. And Irish custom called for placing an old shoe within the wall, to ward off evil spirits.
So it seemed only fitting to put this little talisman back where we found her.
And now, after insulation and drywall, she is immured once again.
We had lived with exposed studs for so long, that it feels odds too have them hidden once again. Only now, they are covered in spray foam and cellulose.
Eash Insulation out of Shipshewana did the new addition for us, over two years ago. Cory and his guys were professional and fast. So it was a no brainer to ask them back. (Thanks fellas!)
It is amazing how having the pale yellow, and then the gray, on the walls lightened up the old house.
And now we had a heated work space! Which makes for a happy husband!
Once the insulation was done, we were finally ready for drywall. But first, we had some waiting to do, with the Covid shutdown to contend with.
As Tom Petty said, the way-yay-ting is the hardest part. But it makes the reward all the sweeter.
This was the day I danced for joy in the front lawn, with tears in my eyes.
I went back and counted how many pictures I took of the drywall being delivered. (I deleted twenty and am practicing restraint with showing you just two.)
Look — we have walls.
Walls mean rooms. Rooms mean living. And oh man, do we have some living to do!
It is so rewarding to feel the progress. And so exciting! We can’t wait to share it with you. A home filled with family and friends beats any talisman I know of.
With love and drywall…
PJR