The Battle of Chiroptera

Hello friends,

Yeah, I know,  I suck at updating this thing,  but in my defense things are pretty hectic here with the new baby and everything else that is going on with the Mansion. I’ll start things off with an apology as always;  sorry for not keeping you guys informed up to the minute! Next, I’ll entertain you with one of my more recent and amusing things to have transpired.

Over the winter we found a bat in the house (NOT uncommon for old homes and this area since we’re a total bat haven with a TON of old homes and the fact we’re crammed between two rivers with less than a mile between them. In fact they actually merge right here in town) that had been pretty banged up, presumably by one of the three resident Couch Panthers that prowl our halls. A quick scope around the old ballroom showed no sign of a roost up on the third floor so we presumed it had fallen down the unused chimney in the parlor and called it square.

Fast forward to a couple of nights ago when, out of nowhere, a late night of research and work was interrupted and brought to a quick halt when I was clipped in the back of the head and suddenly all three cats came tearing past from the same direction. In the middle of a startled string of expletives, I looked up to see a bat fluttering in rapid circles around my living room. The result? The husband and I chased it through the entire house because the little flying ace would make it through 1” gaps between the pocket doors. I, of course, wore an Easter basket on my head. Why? Because (valid) reasons and the fact that the only other variety of headgear I possess is a riding helmet that was in the library and he didn’t make it into the library. That’s why.

However, the final show down as a scene straight out of WWII. Hubby and I were strategically placed in the dining room, armed with towels, and taking shots at trying to knock this thing out of the sky like two Navy destroyers trying to thwart a kamikaze Japanese Zero. It was oddly fitting considering hubby’s Veteran status.

…We won.

Oddly enough, there are STILL no signs of bats in the ball room even though I was CONVINCED that they were up there! All searching to find the roost has been widely unsuccessful. That said… There is more activity than just that of the enemy Chiroptera.

Renderings are being done by a very talented intern architect from Ohio State University, who I’ve come to know and love over the last year and change. As such, and knowing how ridiculously attention to detail (and downright good at her job) she is, I gave her the task of designing the new rear elevation of the house. The porch, like I had mentioned months ago, is going to come down and be reconstructed as a stone grotto complete with stained glass and an outdoor fireplace. It will also open out onto a deck that will replace the crumbling cement patio that currently exists. Over all, the idea is to;

A.) Replace the ugly porch addition that’s not so sound (the roof is a hot mess and there’s lead paint),
B.) Get rd of the extra door so we’re not left fumbling with keys and kids during bad weather events like snow and, you know, tornadoes…

and,

C.) Create a stunning off kitchen sitting area to enjoy fireside all year long.

The deck will eventually overlook  a koi pond that we’ll be putting in where the current iris bed is and the irises will be moved up front where everyone can appreciate them. OH and the cement walk will be 86ed in favor of cobble stone.

Once renderings are done, we’ll be pulling permits and beginning probably around July 4^th with a grand sledge hammer event. The only thing being saved are the old glass panes. Once that project is done we’ll have a late summer deck party!

That said… Please pardon our dust.

In the meantime, enjoy a photo I took after serious request for a picture of me in my bat battling headgear.