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Guest column

I live here

A "feel" was there when they walked into the house. Years later, that same feeling still remains in their home.

By MIKE GILSON
Published September 18, 2005

OLD NORTHEAST, ST. PETERSBURG - On a Saturday in the fall of 1985, I received a call from my sister-in-law, Kim.

She told me about a house in Old Northeast that was just going on the market and that I had to come see it.

She said there was a "feel" about the place that I would like.

So, my wife, Nancy, and I packed our daughters in the family van and drove across town.

When we arrived we were not overly impressed.

The house needed painting, yard work and basic sprucing up. When we walked inside though, we fell in love.

We were immediately drawn to the charm, the craftsmanship and the history it represented. We knew that with a little work this house could function very well and with a lot of work could be a great house for years to come. We told the owners to pull the sign - we wanted it.

Over the years we have labored through numerous projects, completely renovated the kitchen, landscaped repeatedly, and painted every wall in the house at least three different colors.

After 19 years, we have a boatload of memories and we're all still very much in love with the place.

Our daughter Katie enjoys the brick streets, big trees and the fact that we are three blocks from her cousin Kristen (Kim's daughter).

Kelli is attached to the wood floors and the fireplace, and has fond memories of watching downtown fireworks from our back yard.

My wife loves how close we are to the water for our Saturday morning runs and that every house in the neighborhood looks different - each with its own charm and beauty.

As for me, I agree with all told by Nancy and the girls. But I also like the neighborhood itself.

I enjoy the decorations during the holidays. I get a kick out of sitting on our front porch greeting the large number of trick-or-treaters on Halloween.

And I smile with a veteran's pride when our country's flag waves proudly on Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July from our neighbors' doorways.

But most importantly, I like the intangibles about living here. When folks come to our house for the first time, there's always a positive comment, an "Ooh" or an "Oh my." They have the same reaction to the warmth of our house as I do. And every time it happens, I know we made the right decision to live here.

In retrospect, Kim was right. There is a "feel" to this neighborhood, this house. We felt it the first time we drove by, and we have felt it every day since. It's a feeling that goes beyond the physical surroundings of wood, brick and mortar.

It's a feeling that makes you say, this is more than just a house. This is our home.

[Last modified September 18, 2005, 02:15:36]