The new house.

We picked up the keys last week.

I had noticed there are no wire screens on the windows and no evidence of any having ever been there.

Inside, the window furnishings are 1950s cream venetian blinds, side drapes of gold satin and filmy lace between. All in good order, just a little dusty. I raised the venetians with some difficulty, they appeared not to have been lifted for a long time.

Behind them, the double-hung sash windows are original shellacked cedar, twelve throughout the house.

Many of the sashes were stuck. I wrestled them for most of the day. Just one failed to respond. The rest eventually squeaked along their vertical tracks.

Every counterweight cord was clean and in perfect condition. Regular use should grey the cords because of the oil or metal stain from pulleys.

Amazingly, these windows appear not to have been opened for decades.