BATHROOMS

So let’s us talk about bathroom: specifically the toilets within bathrooms. During my advanced age I have visited all manner of bathrooms, both good and not so good.

In the days befor I knew the value of a bathroom, archtects were prone to design a fairly large space with a large and comfortable tub in which to laze away hours while reading a favorite book and soaking away the cares of the day. As a child, it probably included frolicking with a toy or two. Our bathroom had great acustics and I spent a lot of time singing at the top of my lungs preparing for hoped for career in the footsteps of an opera singer aunt.

The houses we have lived in during our marriage have all had bathrooms which scimped on useable space unfortunately. They were adequate, but not special. Ijn or about the 1980’s the bathrooms and kitcyhens grew exponentially while compromising the poor living sroom. Double sinks and footbath-type bowls appeared and people felt their ships had come in.

I was pleasantly surprised to find our new bathroom containing two bathroom sinks and a wall size mirror reflecting our advanced state of being. The guest bathroom while not as large, has an enclosed toilet which will be nice when we get a guest. I hung a nice oil painting in the tiny spce to entertain.

When I was ten years old we moved to the countryside in Connecticut into a rented place which not only did not have running water, but unbelievably had no bahroom.

I was immediately introduced to the wonders of an outhouse. Our place of business was situated quite far from the house which was good in one case but bad during the cold and snow bound winters. I learned early on that, thile having no acustics, singing whil occupying the outhouse not only kept the visit short, but certainly more pleasant.

During the war, we lived for a short time in Oregon, also in the country, and also becoming familiar once more with our friend the outhouse. The thing I found difficult to understand is why no one thought to make them mopre attractive.

We were fortunate to spend many years traveling throughout Europ-e and having the opportunity to see where they all went. France has always held a spot in my imagination whereby fashion and exceptional cuisine held high places. I cannot say the same for the difficult holes in the ground hold sway. Fortunately,,, for those occupying hotels, the going is up to snuff. We visited the Hermitage museum on a trip to Russia. The museum itself is magnificent with white marble and a king’s ransome in gold, at least when one enters by the front door. Those of us who arrive via a tour, often get the opening view from the rear door. Instead of describing the experience, let me say merely that omy two outhouse ex[eriences were far supior in every way, plus tissue was sparingly handed out to each occupant in exchange for a request for a few rubles.

It is convenient to know how the rest of the world goes.