Moss and Wall

A moss-covered stone wall becomes a lesson about 

man and nature living together in perfect harmony.

Old Houses

National headquarters for a fraternity.

You know by now that I love really old houses, especially the kind 
of atmospheric ones from the historic revolutionary region called 
"The Hudson Valley", and so it remains still to this day. 

I have a deep, abiding love for architecture that began when I grew up near some of the oldest houses in America, here in the tri-state area. They look good in every season, too. 

Small shed, big house.

Large and in charge, for a house.

The corner turret, and other domicile delights.

Stone walls, and other revolutionary structures.

Beautiful portico and side balconies with rocking chairs.

Peaked roofs and wide open porches made for afternoon breezes.

Big old trees, planted when the house was new.

 

Hudson Valley: Old Stone Walls

Cornerstone.

I've always loved the old stone walls scattered around Rockland. 
Some are stranded in the middle of the woods like something out of a 
fairy tale, to be happened upon in the middle of a hike as remnants of an old homestead, and others are still part of the landscape, serving their original purpose by demarcating property lines. 

Stone remnants.

They tie us back to our old farm roots, those of the Dutch, Irish, English, and Huguenot woodsmen settlers, frontiersmen, and farmers who created the first US nation. Plus, I just think they look better than other types of fences. They fit this landscape in a way that's right for this rocky land, a seamless blend of nature and design.

Stone wall and picket fence.

Cottage life: http://www.pinterest.com/mariedoucette/cottages/.