Does anyone in or near Chicago have a 34 x 15 7/8 piece of wavy glass? I need one to replace the nonwavy glass I broke. Despite my old-window-hoarding ways, I don’t have a piece that wide. I do have smaller pieces, particularly if anyone’s looking for a pane of a multi-light sash.
It took a couple years, but the black hollyhocks are in full burst.
I became a worm mom recently, through serendipity and the generosity of a compost-wacko compadre. It’s odd and humbling, having become completely at ease with my farming impulses even as I cherish city life, to suddenly be unsure whether I’m up to the task of caring for my squirmy charges. I seem to be doing fine so far. I give them coffee grounds and whirred-up remains of my salads that would otherwise go in the compost bins. And, well, I’ll let you know. But here is an absolute inspiration: Will Allen, who has seen why urban farming is essential and is striving to make it accessible. I’m not sure why I had to read the New York Times to find out what’s going on in my own backyard, but there you have it. “Creating soil from waste is what I enjoy most,” he said. “Anyone can grow food.” So simple—and so true.
When you’re lucky enough to have a dozen or more old windows left in your old house, you become acquainted with the some-now-more-later approach. So this year brings me to the big, bad, fixed bay window on the front of the house, as well as the smaller, transom-size window above it and its mate from the south side that I didn’t have the cajones to climb up and do in place a couple years back.
The first part of the adventure was removing the sashes—all of them fixed, not designed to slide up and down, and all of them painted in. Our plan was to pull them out from the inside, but they’ve all got storm windows on the outside and there was the reality-laden likelihood that we would have to remove the storms to break the paint seals and loosen the windows for inside removal. So we started with the big one, which is about 3.5 feet by just over 3.
After removing the stops, it was clear that we had to haul the ladders out and approach this from the outside. Removing the storm for the bay window turned out to be more of a big deal than breaking through the paint, since it was almost all cracking like crazy anyway:
Old, old glazing:
But even after pulling the storm and busting through the paint seal from the outside with scraper and razor, it still wasn’t completely free. We took off some of the inside casing that it seemed to be nudging against, but that still wasn’t enough. It turns out that because of the house’s nearly 100 years of settling, the window was sitting in its frame slightly askew. So we had to get out a planer and take some of that great, old-growth wood away to let the sash slide out freely. This was done in a part of the framing that won’t be seen when all the face trim is put back on.
Then, after a few taps from the outside, it was easy to pull the whole thing out from the inside, and we got it upstairs to the worksite with no problems. The smaller, transom-size windows were a cinch to remove. They were free-moving as soon as we pulled off the casings around them on the inside. So here’s the big sash upstairs waiting to be operated on:
I started out working on one of the small sashes and was very pleased to get all the old, petrified glazing and points out without breaking the window. I used a heat gun and plumber’s heat-guard to avoid cracking the glass. On the second small sash, my luck did not hold up. I broke the glass and was crushed. I wasn’t sure if I had gotten careless in covering the glass while heating the glazing or if, perhaps, the problem was that I was using a different heat shield—a black, fluffy one—than on the first one (the beige, multi-woven one seen in the linked entry above). A few days later, I realized that the glass I had broken was not wavy! It was newer, flat replacement glass. This realization made my week, as only an old-house aficianado’s week can be made. In any case, there was still the big sash to contend with. And I was nervous because that was without a doubt vintage wavy glass that belongs in that front window.
So I set out slowly on the day that seemed right to try to start. And I took a tip from my partner in this folly and tried breaking the seal between the paint and the glass with a razor blade before trying to pry out the glazing.
As I was doing this, I found that I could slide the blade completely under the crusty glazing and loosen it by degrees. I ended up getting all of it out like this. Didn’t even turn on the heat gun. And the whole, huge pane has been preserved thus far.
One of the main benefits of growing foods in your yard is that there come evenings when the garden says, “No, you cannot stay late at work, scrape the windows or clean the basement. Tonight is the harvest. Go into the garden, gather what you can, hie to the kitchen and create magic there. Drink some wine for ritual cleansing, too.” This evening I was forced to heed this call, and I came back with garlic scapes. And while I thought I had begun venturing into the landscape of scape last year at this time—oh no, I now know that I was missing out on the big score. This stuff is amazing. The flavor is mellow, rich and bright at the beginning, and then the garlic intensity starts zipping in—but only enough to wow you, not knock you over. You can steam them like green beans, roast them like asparagus or pulverize them into a pesto that makes you question the need for basil. Astounding stuff. Because I have pasta boiling and pesto waiting, and all these folks have done a better job illustrating than I could, please look to these sources for more information:
Pesto-ey P.S.: I think I harvested most of my scapes a little late this year and last. As seen in this post, I should have snipped them off a few days before. I got fixated on that white bulge, using it as a signal to tell me when to take action, and didn’t realize that the green, curly shoot is the star. But, in keeping with being a super-frugal freak, I did find last year that there’s good use for the little bulblets that most people throw out. You can keep them in the fridge for up to a year and toss them into just about anything for a little garlic kick. Even if the curls are getting a little chewy, though, the pesto cures all ills. When steaming, just steam the older bits a little longer. It’s all good, and it’s all delicious.
Just came across this excellent top-10 list from the New England Window Restoration Alliance.
Top 10 Reasons to Restore or Repair Wood Windows
1. Because your windows fit your house.
• Quirky as they might be, your older windows fit your house. Care was taken to match the weight and style of window to the building, the trim, etc. They have expanded and contracted with the seasons. With proper weather stripping they can be made to fit and seal even better. Replacement windows have a rigid structure that fits within your window openings. Old houses move and shift over time, and frequently the gaps that open up around replacement windows and the window openings result in more drafts than the original windows.
2. Because you appreciate good craftsmanship
• The true mortise and tenon construction of antique windows is incredibly strong and even when it begins to weaken is easily repaired. Many unique window shapes were created because of the craftsmanship with wood joinery. Antique windows were built to last and not land in a landfill.
3. Because you value good materials.
• Antique wood windows are constructed of old -growth timber. The wood is much denser and more weather resistant than today’s tree-farmed softwoods. Delicate profiles are possible because of the density of the wood. The reason these windows are still around—even with years of neglect—is because the wood is of very high quality, requiring no cladding or additional materials to give them weather
resistance. Minus all the ugly paint, your wood windows are usually quite beautiful, graceful, and strong.
4. Because you love the character of antique glass.
• Even the glass in antique windows tells a story. It may be roundel or cylinder glass, each indicating a certain era of manufacturing. Old glass has varieties of color and texture that are a delight to the eye. Two layers of glass are better than one, and in an antique home that second layer of glass should be the storm window that protects the original window.
5. Because you think a warranty should be more than 20 years.
• Chances are your windows have done their job for 50 or more years already. Sure, they may be a little creaky and may not be as attractive as they once were, but it’s a far better investment to repair a proven performer than to sink money into a new window that only has a 20-year warranty at best. With proper maintenance your antique windows should last another 100 years. Heck, even without maintenance they
may last that long!
6. Because you want to avoid vinyl.
• Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) is becoming one of the greatest concerns in the building industry. Not only does the production of it create an environmental nightmare, but the gases it emits over time are becoming a concern. Heaven forbid your house catches fire, and PVC burned will release toxic amounts of dioxin. If you are concerned about lead, please understand that it is used as a stabilizer in the
manufacture of PVC. If you are concerned about our planet’s health, you should read up on efforts to reduce the use of vinyl.
7. Because you want more light.
• Replacement windows are set into the window opening, and the sash is smaller than the originals. You get less viewing area and less light. Who wants less light?
8. Because windows are a functional part of your house.
• Weights and pulleys are the best balance systems ever invented. There is a prevalent myth that a lot of cold air comes in through the weight pocket. If there is cold air in the weight pocket it’s generally because there is a gap between the outside trim of the house and the siding. It may also indicate a poor seal at the floor joists. Replacing easily serviceable weights and pulleys with vinyl jamb liners or invisible balance systems means installing a system that has a maximum life span of 10-20 years but generally fails in less time. You won’t believe how joyful it is to open and close windows easily with one hand when everything is restored to the way it was designed to work!
9. Because you really can save 30-40% on heating costs.
• According to the Field Study of Energy Impacts of Window Rehab Choices (conducted by the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, the University of Vermont School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering laboratory), the estimated first-year energy savings between a restored wooden window with a good storm window vs. a replacement window was $0.60. Yup, less than a buck. In their conclusions section they noted, “The decision to renovate or replace a window should not be based solely on energy considerations, as the difference in estimated first-year savings between the upgrade options are small.” Broken glass, failed glazing, no weather stripping–these small and repairable items are what really affect energy efficiency in windows.
10. Because the greenest building is one that is already built.
• Replacement windows are touted as a way to save energy. But when evaluated from the perspective of the entire production, shipping, installation and removal process, replacing windows consumes a whole lot of energy—or, viewed another way, an older building has a great deal of embodied energy. If the total energy expenditure to manufacture replacement windows is considered, the break-even period stretches to 40-60 years. In the words of Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, “We can’t build our way out of the global warming crisis. We have to conserve our way out. That means we have to make better, wiser use of what we have already built.” Repairs and restoration work are done by local craftspeople paying local taxes. They use a minimum of materials and resources and a maximum of labor. Restoring windows is the best use of existing materials and the best way to support the local economy.
This evening when I went into the alley to throw out some things, I came upon a short, shiny row of apples at the base of one trash cart. My first compost-wacko thought was: “Marvy! More for my bins.” Then I noticed the apple line was pointing to a box full of rotting fruits, and next to that—another. Yep, I’m a cheap date. I get giddy from finding that someone has dumped rotting fruit behind my house.
I took this as an invitation to start up the new batch in my second bin, the one I harvested for this year’s garden. So I cleared out the last few cups of finished compost and tossed the gift fruits in: 177 apples, several bunches of grapes, 2 oranges, 1 peach and 1 plum.
Then I ripped up the juice-soaked cardboard boxes and added them as browns to balance out the fresh(ish) fruits. Now this will be the main putrescible pile, as we let the other binful burn down and transform into next year’s fertilizer. And this bin is well on its way to churning out beautiful, frugal food for the 2011 garden.
On the other side of the yard, it’s almost scape time!
Added for an inquiring commenter:
I got that one free from a friend who didn’t have room for it anymore. I think the city sells them for $40 in the spring, along with rain barrels.
Here are two from Iowa. The first, from Bettendorf and on Craigslist right now for $150, is an interesting specimen with backsplash details different from those I’ve seen before. It also seems to have early 40s knobs but late 40s handles.
The next one is from Burlington.
Starting with the eye candy, here’s an antique ad from J.A. Simmers. I’m not entirely sure that would make me want to grow the company’s carrots, but I might invite them in for a cup of tea, or absinthe.
This is an amendment to the list of this year’s planting posted below. I decided to try for office toms and carted a couple of plants to work. So send growing waves to Isis Cherry and Black Plum, which now are joining me in my daily labor.
Also I found a couple more pots big enough for peppers last night, and since I haven’t yet given away all my orphan veggies I ended up planting another Paprika and Jalapeno. Can’t ever have too many of those since I pickle the Jals and grind up the Paprikas for spice, which is so neuron-poppingly delicious that I must grow more, more, more—blahahahahaaaaaaa.
What finally happened in the veg garden is this: 43 tomatoes, 18 peppers and 1 eggplant.
Tomatoes:
- Marizol Bratka
- Perito
- Brandywine Sudduth
- Olena Ukrainian
- Cherokee Chocolate
- Lucky Cross
- Brandywine, Off the Vine
- Depp’s Pink Firefly
- Brandywine x Stupice 06
- Earl’s 08
- German Head
- Burpee Seedless Hybrid from Dad
- Tennessee Surprise 06
- Lucky Cross 07
- Chianti Rose
- Tennessee Surprise 07
- Striped Roman
- Jan’s BxS 15
- Watermelon Beefsteak
- Jan’s BxS 16
- Nagy Katai
- Earl’s 06 broken stem
- Grandpa Luddolph
- Mexico
- Woodle Orange
- Perito
- Black Plum
- Jan’s BxS 15
- Stump of the World
- Mickey’s BxS
- Marizol Bratka
- Jan’s BxS 16
- Brandywine Sudduth regular leaf (wrong leaf)
- My BxS 07
- Prue 08
- Black Zebra
- Prue 08
- My BxS 06
- Purple Russian
- Prue 06
- Brandywine, Off the Vine
- Grandpa Luddolph
- Jan’s BxS 15
Peppers, most in pots, and 2 of them still kicking from last year’s crop:
- Chuska in maroon 5-gallon bucket
- Gold Marconi in big black pot
- Paradicsom in dark green pot
- Jalapeno in small clay-color pot
- Paprika from last year in small clay-color pot
- Bull Nose from last year in large clay-color pot
- Szentesi in small clay-color pot
- Early Hungarian Sweet in large clay-color pot
- Doe Hill Golden Bell in grey pot
- Jalapeno in violet pot
- Jalapeno in violet pot (same pot as 10)
- Bullnose in small black pot
- Chuska in white pot
- Paradicsom in green pot
- Paprika in small clay-color pot
- Aji Dulce in the ground
- Jalapeno in the ground
- Paprika in the ground
The eggplant is Rosa Bianca, and it’s in ground.
