Posted December 12, 2021

"Thank you, Lillian." Emeline gave the young woman a genuine smile, then linked arms with Barnabas. "I'm quite ready, and looking forward to the grand tour!" Just a way to see the highlights and learn what there was to go back to and experience. "We can find out where the museums and such are," she added, "or find the opera house."

She was willing to try any of those, or all, although she couldn't promise that she'd really like them, especially opera. Hours of listening to people singing in a foreign language she didn't understand. Of course, there was no telling until she tried.

"Perhaps your friend could give us some suggestions?" She looked up at her husband. "Oh, and I told Lillian that I'd talk to you about having lunch with her and her brother, he's a scholar of the West and would love to hear about some of your experiences. Of course, you aren't obligated."

Posted December 15, 2021

"I reckon the driver would know all of them places you mentioned. And, well, I'm sure it'll be a grand tour of the city. There's a lot ta see out there." Pike said as they left the room for the elevator. " An' ya get ta ride the elevator again, 'course that'll be every time we wanna get up 'er down. Guess maybe the ground floor'd a been the ticket."

The city was sprawling, even more so than the last time he had been there, but a place like San Francisco was bound to grow. There was a lot there, sea port, the Presidio for the military. Fort Point from the Civil War, shops of every kind, and some of the largest retailers in the country. A developing Chinatown and a lot of emigrants from the world over.

Once on the ground floor, the Pikes walked to the desk to inquire about the carriage. "Ah Mister and pisses Pike, would you like the carriage? Mister Sharon has informed us and the driver is waiting. He has a lovely open vehicle for your use since the weather is near perfect today."

"Thanks, we'd like that." The service at the hotel was beyond perfect.

"How 'bout that, Em. They don't miss a trick do they?" Barnabas said, with a grin.

Posted December 19, 2021

She'd never admit it, but the elevator still gave her the heebie-jeebies, and Emeline wasn't certain that she'd ever be comfortable with it, but it did beat having to tramp up and down several flights of stairs, and Barnabas had reassured her it was safe. Still, she was relieved with they stepped out of the falling death-box and into the lobby.

"They know who they are dealing with," Emeline commented with a wide grin, "nothing is too good for Mrs. Barnabas Pike, the best cook west of the Mississippi!"

Laughing, she hooked her arm into his, then settled into the carriage to enjoy the ride.

"Isn't it interesting," she observed as they ambled past all manner of buildings and parks, with the bay and ocean coming and going from view, "that a big, civilized city like this can be as beautiful as the mountains, only different. I can't say that I'd want to live here, but it's a good chance to see the art in other things." It was strange, but even the older, less grand buildings had their own sort of artistry to them.

Posted December 19, 2021

"I've marveled at this city afore when I was here. An' she sure has blossomed since the early seventies. Like five year ago was a long time, but I'm surely tellin' you this city, well it's bigger it was to be sure." Barnabas said as the driver began their tour of the city by the bay.

Instead of taking them down to the wharf which was becoming a place that housed seafood restaurants along with the fishing industry, he took them through the city, saying not a word as the went up Nob Hill and all the beautiful homes already built there.

"Maybe we shoulda built the house like them>" He said as he pointed out a couple of homes that they passed. "Maybe a barn sortta like thet 'un there." He was kidding with her now, but the size of some of the homes was staggering to the imagination that people lived like that. The then back down again and the hustle and bustle of the growing city. There was a lot to see.

Posted December 20, 2021

"Oh, well, there still is time!" Emeline observed, "and we can always adjust the plans!" Of course, she was teasing, she loved their house, even though they hadn't even moved into it yet, and while she admired the grandeur of mansions here, it wasn't particularly practical in the mountains of Montana.

"Although..." she mused, "I think a stained glass window would be beautiful, to catch light in the evenings." She had no idea, though, how you went about getting something like that, or what she'd like it to look like. "It would just be amazing to have all those colors dancing across the floor."

A wistful smile crossed her lips. "Paradise Falls...so a waterfall, of course, maybe the name, or initials..." There were all sorts of possibilities, and she was starting to get excited about it. "Maybe your friend, Mr. Sharon, will know how to go about getting a window?"

Posted December 21, 2021

Ya know, Bill'd know, 'er he could direct us to where we'd find a winda like that. I mean, there the transoms over the doors, me'bee we could cut in over the winda's facin' east an west." He considered, there was something about the stained glass that beckoned to him, something that spoke to him, a thing he could visualize.

"We'll ask, me'be look about on our own, but I like the idea of incorporating 'em in the house. Wouldn't take much if we need to cut holes for 'em, Not much at all. There jest ain't no reason a man cain't have purdy things in his house, 'sides his wife." The he laughed. "Yep, we need ta look inta this."

Posted December 21, 2021

"Two? That's a grand idea, and my understanding is that transoms allow for good air flow through the rooms?" It was something they hadn't considered yet, well, she'd never heard of them before, and there really weren't so many warm days that a breeze was needed, but it was something they could easily incorporate when they wanted to.

"I love the glass inlays in the front doors, too, but that's hardly practical at home." Shaking her head, she pointed out, "That wouldn't stop an Indian, nor a bandit, and I'd hate for it to be broken. But yes, I love the idea of having a couple of stained glass windows and even designing our own!" She had no idea how they were made, or even how much they cost, but it was worth looking into.

Posted December 22, 2021

"Havin' a couple made likely wouldn't be a problem, gettin' 'em to Kalispell, now that might be the trick." Barnabas said. "Reckon it could be done though. Worth us lookin' into if it's really somethin' you'd want. Mighty fancy, and it'd shore purdy up the place."

Not that they would be practical as in full windows, he favored the transoms for the time being. the country was a bit wild still for full windows or doors, which he had thought of as well. He had seen doors done that way, and ones just etched with beveled glass. There were a number of several ways to beautify the house. A lot to think about and a lot for them to discuss because it was not just his decision, though most men of the era believed it was his decision, and his alone.

The driver had worked his way through the streets while the couple discussed stained glass, he pulled up in front of a fairly nondescript brick building with a sign across the front announcing "Penderson's Glass Works. "Excuse me , Sir, Madam, Penderson's can answer all of your questions. I couldn't help but overhear and many of San Francisco's finest families have incorporated their works in their homes."

"Wanna have a look-see, Em?" Pike asked.

Posted December 26, 2021

"Oh, yes, thank you!" Emeline smiled at he driver as she hopped out of the carriage, not at all minding the intrusion. "And I'm sure they have a way of shipping glass...after all, if you can ship it a mile, it seems that you can ship it a dozen..." she laughed, "you just have to be careful longer!"

She hooked her arm into Barnabas' as they strolled inside, where she had to stop, taking in all the sample windows that were hanging in the large display windows. They had barely been visible from the outside, but now that they were in, where the sun could shine through them, they were colorful and beautiful, casting little kaleidoscope patterns across the floor.

"Look! They're beautiful!"

Posted December 28, 2021

Barnabas looked around and was instantly impressed by what he saw inside the shop. There was framed, leaded glass everywhere and he began to think of what they might want. He looked to Em. "Sure are. The transom over the front door, now that 'un could use the brand in the middle, with whatever foldoral you'd like." He was nodding as he talked.

"Next mebe we figg'er out a winda fer the main room, 'er the kitchen, mebe even the bedroom. I'll leave that'un up to you, but they sure are purdy, and they add a touch of class to the place."

It was then a man dressed in a leather apron approached them, "May I help you?"