We found the graves of the first owners’ of our home today. We put some flowers from our backyard—theirs and ours—on the grave.

I read through the abstract for our house this evening and worked out the history of ownership. The property that includes our house began as a grant of 160 acres from the US government to William Carmichael in 1818. For the next century it was sold off in pieces and parts and was the subject of several lawsuits. One of the owners was Dr. Winthrop Foote—doctor, lawyer, and founder of the local limestone industry.

Our particular lot took its current shape in 1907 when John and Laura Owens purchased it. From there is goes as follows:

  1. John and Laura Owens 1907-1929
  2. Elizabeth Norton (nee Owens) 1929-1939
  3. Dr. William and Delzena Schroer 1939-1961
  4. Florine Kern (nee Schroer) 1961-1974
  5. Gloria Elliott 1974-2009
  6. The Abels 2009-present

All told, we’re the fourth family to live in this house. The three previous families all lived here 30+ years. We plan to keep that tradition.

Two unlikely dreams re: the Bedford pie safe:

  1. Acquire one of the 16-20 known to exist and preserve it. Something this unique shouldn’t be allowed to vanish.
  2. Build a reproduction. I will never have the skill of an actual 19th century professional cabinetmaker but it would be a heck of a project.

I found out this week that my hometown has a unique piece of furniture: the Bedford pie safe. It is unique in being three panels wide instead of two. Research by the local historical society found that they were built by a cabinetmaker named John Reath (1817-1898). I’d love to see one in person!

Pickled some banana peppers tonight. Should be about a week until they’re ready to eat.

I visited Corydon—Indiana’s original state capital—for the first time on Friday. It was the capital from the time it became a state in 1816 until Indianapolis was built (specifically for the purpose of being the capital city) in 1825.

This building housed both wings of the state legislature and the Supreme Court:

Auto-generated description: A historic stone building with white shutters, a white door, and a small cupola on the roof is adorned with a patriotic bunting above the entrance.

The Indiana constitution was debated and drafted in part under this elm, because the building was too hot in June. The tree died about a century ago and they preserved its trunk in this monument. All of Indiana’s county courts have a gavel carved from this elm and the original constitution is stored in a box made from its wood:

Auto-generated description: A tall wooden stump, encased in a brick and stone structure and accompanied by a commemorative plaque, stands prominently.

The Indiana constitution was signed on this desk:

Auto-generated description: A vintage wooden writing desk with a slanted lid, a drawer below, and two candlesticks and an inkwell on top.

On a solo drive through southern Indiana today. First stops: the Medora brick factory and the Medora covered bridge (longest in the US).

Work has begun on my next project: building a cabinet for a friend. It’s in trade for some of his grandpa’s tools. He already had the countertop so I’m building the carcass and attaching it.

I have a couple of friends who refuse to shop at Walmart because the Walton family have funded private school vouchers. These friends are both public school teachers and they do not want their money contributing to that effort.

This, of course, makes no sense, economically speaking. The Walton family wealth is well-established and long-lived. Walmart could close tomorrow and it wouldn’t touch the Walton family. Moreover, the refusal of two teachers to buy their groceries at Walmart doesn’t even budge the bottom line at that particular Walmart, let alone the corporation or the founding family.

With all of that said, I support such quixotic refusals. Despite making no real-world impact, they are good for the soul. It’s a miserly heart that looks at such acts with condescension and pity.

To be clear, some such refusals are made out of a foolish pursuit of purity. In such cases, the refusals become more puritan than quixotic.

But when the refusal can be made in pursuit of your own principles, with a proper disdain for “results”, then that refusal moves out of the realm of calculation and into a healthy exercise of your will against the powers that would subject you to their own purposes. We will never have full (or even much!) control over our lives or the environment in which we live. But if we can stake out a small piece of our lives where we refuse to do what is easy, we will have in that space refused to give our consent to destruction.

Before and after on the table and chairs refinishing project for my in-laws. I have one chair (not shown) I’m going to start over. Apart from that, I think I’m done.

Before:

Auto-generated description: A round, wooden table with a slightly worn surface is set on a concrete floor. Auto-generated description: A wooden tabletop is scratched and worn, showing signs of heavy use. Auto-generated description: Three wooden chairs with armrests are aligned in a row on a concrete surface.

After:

Auto-generated description: An oval wooden dining table with six matching chairs is set in a workshop or garage environment with various tools and equipment in the background. Auto-generated description: A wooden chair with a spindle back design is positioned on a white cloth with a cardboard box and other items in the background.