Regular readers of this blog know that I like to explore houses under construction. Unfortunately, just when they begin to get really interesting, it usually occurs to someone to start locking them up. Sometimes this happens surprisingly late in the game, though. I personally do no harm; I wipe my feet carefully before entering and tread lightly, touching nothing except an occasional doorknob of cupboard handle. But I have often wondered why tramps and teenagers don’t discover these conveniently open shelters.
A locked door is usually the end of the adventure, though often they’re secured just enough to keep them from being blown open by the wind or brushed open by animals, and the security is easily defeated. Still, sooner or later, I have to give up.
I’m philosophical about this, but I have to say I was a bit taken aback when the sign pictured here appeared on a utility pole in front of one of the houses I’ve been watching. I meant to take a photo before it was damaged (by vandals or a storm, it’s hard to say), but the sense of it wasn’t any clearer before it was broken. Why would contractors who are not working on the job be coming to the site in the first place?
I’ve pretty much lost interest in the house itself, anyway, but I’m still curious about the “watchtower” in the front yard. As can be seen from the photo, it’s a square two-story tower. The first floor is windowless, but there is a small window on each side of the second floor—or what would be the second floor if there were a floor. So far, it is completely open and empty inside, and I’ll be interested to see whether a spiral staircase is later installed or what. My best guess is that perhaps it’s intended as a fort/playhouse for visiting grandchildren, but I suppose only time will tell.
