Dated January 28, 2017
My son, Robert, visited me recently and we talked about my desire to build a retirement home for my wife and myself. He generously offered to buy it for me if he had the means. His comment made me reflect on how my current house, despite its unfinished state, is already my dream home.
My wife, Marlene, and I have been together since 1980. We always envisioned getting married, purchasing a small piece of land in the country, and constructing our own home without debt. And that’s precisely what we did. Let me share our story with you, illustrated by some old photographs.
The first picture shows the 1.5-acre plot of land we bought in 1982. Situated at the edge of a field, it offered ample privacy with woods on two sides and a single visible neighbor. The land wasn’t officially on the market, but knowing the owner, I inquired about its availability and we struck a deal for $2,500.
My friend, Art, a surveyor, created a hand-drawn map of the property, a common practice at the time. He noted the excellent soil quality, ideal for growing alfalfa. At the time, Marlene and I resided in a modest two-room apartment, diligently working and saving for our future home. Adjusted for inflation, the land’s purchase price would be approximately $6,024 today, significantly lower than the estimated $10,000 to $15,000 current value.
Lacking funds for a house and determined to avoid loans, we built a sturdy shed using our available resources. Here are some pictures:
This shed held significant meaning for us. Although initially considered as a dwelling, it quickly became a storage space for tools and other homesteading necessities, acquired through frequent auction visits.
Our apartment was located six miles from our property, and every weekend, weather permitting, we’d make the trip. Our visits were partly driven by the garden we promptly planted:
Our brand-new TroyBilt Horse tiller, a top-of-the-line model from when the company was renowned for its quality, was an invaluable tool, stored safely in the shed. We also acquired an AllAmerican canner, learning to preserve our garden’s bounty using a small stove in our apartment. We worked diligently, embracing our fulfilling life.
The shed also proved invaluable when we eventually began constructing our dream home in 1983. In this picture, you can see rolls of tar paper on the right, signifying the house’s progress.
The young gymnast on the picnic table is my younger sister, who sadly now lives with multiple sclerosis and limited mobility. The girl relaxing in the hammock is Theresa Wilmot, the pastor’s daughter from the church Marlene and I attended in Whitney Point, New York. I often wonder about her life’s path.
Part 2 of this series will showcase photographs of our dream home’s construction, which commenced in 1983.
to go to Part 2 of this series