Joanne Sisco

Winding Up The Year

The week leading up to New Year’s Day tends to be a time of reflection as we prepare to ‘discard the old’ and ’embrace the new’.

I thought I would loosely follow that theme in my final Thursday Door post of the year by featuring a few old buildings that started out as schoolhouses – with one former church – and later re-purposed to a home.

In these cases, the ‘old’ wasn’t simply discarded but re-invented instead … something that I think many of us strive to do at this time of year.

former-school-2
2013 – on the Bruce Trail, Blue Mountain Section

These photos are more about the buildings and less about the doors.

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2013 – on the Bruce Trail, Peninsula Section

 

former-school-3
2016 – on route to Creemore

school-house2

As I look forward to the new year, I hope I’ll have the grace and resilience of these old buildings.

former-school-4
2016 – Elora heritage church after a substantial facelift
former-school-5
Former church is now a business / home

As far as the year that’s coming to a close, I am happy to say ‘good riddance’ and ‘don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out’.

u-of-t
2016 – University of Toronto.  I see a door inside the door!

Thursday Doors is a weekly photo feature hosted by Norm Frampton at Norm 2.0.  Thanks Norm for another great year of doors!!

104 comments

  1. One day I will win a million dollars in the lottery (because some kind stranger will buy me a ticket without me knowing) and I will repurpose and live in something like this. Preferably with a tower.

    (Are you sick of “MOSY liked…”, “MOSY commented…” notifications yet? Too bad. Three more posts to go. 😛 )

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  2. I often stretch the doors into more of a post about a subject or total building, Joanne. This week’s door post was mainly about the story or joke rather than door! 🙂
    I liked the variety here, the open door with inside old stone arch was great, but my favorites were the schoolhouses. Wonderful! 🙂

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  4. “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out!” Excellent Joanne and unfortunately this sentiment applies in our case as well. There have been a few things going on in our lives this year that we are just as glad to see the back side of. So here’s to a better 2017 for you and hopes that your year is fun, exciting, and healthy. ~James

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  6. I wish I they had a ‘love’ button for posts because I could not love this one more. Loved the pictures, loved your captions, loved and laughed my head off at your final sentiment.

    Happy New Year, Joanne. i will look forward to catching up with your abilities of wonder, especially your eye for unusual and beauty. You are definitely one of my favorites. xo

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    • … and I wish there was a *love* button for comments because I’d be pressing it repeatedly for this one from you ❤
      My warmest best wishes to you for a great new year. I hope it's full of everything that brings you joy!

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  8. Grace and Resilience: too bad the Twitter President doesn’t know anything about grace.
    I definitely feel anxiety as the time toward 1/20/2017 draws closer. I’m trying not to be negative, but he sure makes it hard.
    Lovely selection of images, Joanne.
    Welcome to 2017. Fingers crossed that it is somehow better than we all think it will be.

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    • Yeah, he scares me too … and I don’t live in the US. I can’t begin to imagine how much worse it is for those of you who do.
      … but I’m going to keep looking at the beauty in the world and hopefully do my part to maintain and add to it.

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  10. Love this collection of photos and the context in which you used them. Very clever. Reuse and repurpose rather than accumulate and discard….great messaging.

    Here’s to grace and resilience even in the light of the feeling of impending doom (with the pres. elect.) Hopefully in two years things will feel more hopeful as campaining starts up again with renewed vigor for the next election with hopefully a way different outcome.

    Peta

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    • Grace and resilience are definitely going to be tag words for me going into 2017.
      Even though I don’t live in the US, I still feel a great deal of anxiety over the upcoming inauguration of the Twitter President. All we can do is focus on what we each can do to make the world a better place to counterbalance all the other negativity.
      Best wishes, Peta! There will be sunny days ahead 🙂

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  11. Joanne, looks like you saved your best for your last post of 2016! Fantastic finds; each building looked great with its new purpose. I also think we discovered Norm’s secret of the Thursday Doors posts; it’s a place of refuge for us door bloggers to seek when the ugliness in the world rears itself, a place where we can seek reason, humor and just enjoy the beauty of a simple door by sane people and as the word spreads our new door afficianados numbers grow. We can’t control the bad politicians but we can monitor what they do and voice our opinions when they step over the line. Nature has a way to right itself so lets keep hope that the future will rebalance itself soon. Happy New Year! Looking forward to your future posts!

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    • Thank you for your kind words.
      Norm’s Doors have been an interesting feature, how we can all bond over a common, everyday object in all our lives. There is endless variety and stories which just doesn’t seem to get old.
      Looking forward to so much more in 2017.
      I agree – we can’t control the bad but only our response to it. Let’s make it count 🙂

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  12. Don’t count your roosters before they hatch. Kung hei fat choi is not until 28/1. Having said that, I am a heathenistic non-believer in such things. But I also hope you have a much better coming year. So do we. Although, Italy was pretty good. The Bruce Trail looks so special.

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    • Yes, I’m aware that the Monkey won’t be gone until the end of January and it’s still being a royal pain. We are now into day 2 without internet – again – for the 4th time this month. We’re chewing up data on our cell phones like crazy 😦

      It sounds like you have something special planned again for 2017? Another big trip, perhaps?
      We have nothing planned for 2017 … a first in a very many long years. I don’t like it – but on the other hand, it is a different approach and that’s what I’m trying to make my life all about!

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      • I’m trying to convince Jo that Cambodia and the lower Mekong would be good later this year, maybe November. Otherwise this year will be more dedicated to consolidating.
        We often have internet outages. We live 8 km from a town of 5000 and 11 from one of 30000 and we must have satellite internet. Aus has new satellite for people like us. It’s called skymuster and it’s floating above Papua New Guinea. For the most part it works well but compared to cable net, it’s expensive and has a 60 G download limit. This sounds like a bit of a 1st world problem and it is. We are all a bit hooked on the net.
        Is your different approach not planning? If you don’t get abroad, try to walk the Bruce trail a few times. What wonderful thing you have on your doorstep. ☺

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        • I hiked the 900km Bruce Trail end to end in 2013 and you’re right … it’s amazing. I would love to do it again, but it’s hard to line up time for a hike with my hiking partner now. I might need to find a new partner … or get comfortable hiking alone 🙂

          I’d love to go to Cambodia … or anywhere in that area, especially since I missed my Thailand trip this year. It’s a very big trip from here, but I imagine much more manageable for you.

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          • Yes it is about 8 hrs from here. Rather than 20+ hours for Europe or Nth America. Also a much cheaper holiday. I forgot how long the Bruce Trail was. And yes it is important to have a walking partner. I’m sorry if this sounds rude, but maybe go to SEAsia without attaching it to some endurance achievement. No need to train for it, just go!

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            • Not rude at all, Mick. It’s actually been something we’ve been struggling with for a while. For the past 20 years, our trips have been defined by an activity and now we’re a bit paralyzed by trying to redefine how and why we travel. It’s one of the reasons why we still don’t have any plans for 2017. You’d think it should be easier, but we’re finding it really hard.

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              • If that’s whst you’ve done for 20 years that makes perfect sense. I guess the risk is you’ll be saying ” wtf are we doing here?” apart from the people, the attractions, the mere differences. It’s a bit like ” what have the Romans ever done for us?” If exercise is your thing just walk a lot. You will anyway. We always do. I lost weight in Italy; on all of my OS trips. (3 trips wow!). Apologies if I’m rambling and sounding didactic. I’ve just woken and it’s cool slightly wet morning so I won’t be on the tractor this morning. Gotta put my thinking cap on for the changing seasons theme. 😁

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  14. I really like the connection to the new year and don’t let the door hit ya…. ha! Perfect –
    And when you see the structures like this – the. Old charm and Beauty does make me wonder who walked through those doors 🚪 over the years. And I like that unique wreath on the black door!

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  15. Yes 2016 has been a mixed bag and you’ve had a tough one personally but I dread the coming of the Twitter President and his friends in the kingdom to the south. Resilience seems a good thing to hope for – that and don’t let that door into the new year smack us in the face😳.

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    • I’m afraid I’m pretty pessimistic about the Twitter President too and his billionaire, self-serving cronies. The world is in deep do-do right now … we will all need buckets full of resilience.

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  18. Oh that big red brick school house is wonderful!

    2017 the year of the Rooster. It’s a Fire Rooster too which is my Chinese astrological sign!! I had hoped that meant 2017 is going be a stellar year for me, but reading the forecast it will be pretty much like all years in my life a mixed bag of good and bad. Ah well, the good wouldn’t be so good if I didn’t know the bad.

    I wish you health, and all things good in 2017!

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    • My husband is also a Rooster and I’ve already warned him to fasten his seatbelt :/
      However, you are right. Each year is a mixed bag of good and bad – even 2016. I can point out many highlights from the year. Without the *bad*, we’d have no context in which to measure the *good* 🙂

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  19. I hear you re good riddance to 2016. As Pauly says, it’s been a difficult year. I’m told that wearing bright coloured clothing on New Years Eve is going to help bring good luck for the Year of the Rooster. Bye Bye Monkey! All the best for 2017 Joanne, health and happiness to you and yours xxx

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  20. That second one, oh my; it’s the red and black combination that catches my eye every time.
    As for 2016 there have been some worse years (for me anyway) but it was far from stellar overall, so yes let’s hope for better things ahead.
    Thanks so much for playing along each week and for being an important part of our fun group Joanne.
    Happy New Year to you and your entire family 🙂

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  23. Good riddance, indeed. I want the third home, the one labeled “on route to Creemore” for my home. Please let me know when it is offered for sale. Even for rent! 🙂

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  25. Such lovely buildings and inviting doors! Many good things happened in 2016 (including meeting you face-to-face), but it ended with so much hurt and turmoil. I wish I was more optimistic about 2017, but, given the politics of our country, I don’t have a lot of hope. The best we can do is take care of ourselves and the ones we love, and try to remain positive as we continue to push back against the negative forces. May 2017 be a year of good health and great adventures!

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    • I share your feelings and concerns. It’s hard to be optimistic about the current state of politics in the US. You’re right though – we have to focus on our own behaviours and attitudes.
      That way we can make 2017 a good year.

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  26. I hope I age as well as these buildings and doors (or have someone to provide the TLC). Great collection Joanne. I’m ready for 2016 to hit the road. I’m not sure what 2017 will bring, but I’m ready for something new…I think. Except for Thursdays. I’m hoping that Thursdays stay much the same. Happy New Year!

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  27. This year was plenty good and plenty awful for me, which I think is most years. I like your focus on resiliency here, the schoolhouse, oh my! That’s stunning! Details ooh and ahh.

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  28. Oh I don’t know, Joanne. After all, 2016 was the year your love of savoury snacks helped you stumble across sgtcookie… oh dear God, you poor unsuspecting thing. Be gone, 2016 with a massive rear end smack as you leave! 😉

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  29. Wow, some of these look like they came straight out of Little House On The Prairie! Happy New Year to you Joanne. I know this one’s been a rough one for you so looking forward to some good luck and healing in the new year.

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      • I’m sorry to say it, but I think it may be just as bad or worse. Celebrities, especially the first generation rockers, are just getting up there, and let’s not forget, this is actually the year Trump will take office…although you’re there in Canada. IN any case, hope for the best and expect the worst, right?

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        • Your last line pretty well sums up my approach to life … especially with the Scary One taking office in 3 weeks.
          I can’t begin to tell you how angry I am at the 62+ million Americans and what they have unleashed on the rest of the world.
          I may not live in the US, but the impact of this presidency is going to be far reaching.
          We’re all going to need to dig deep to get through this one.

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          • Yes, for sure! You’re support is appreciated. Us ugly Americans tend to center so much on ourselves and be unaware of what goes on in other countries politically. I appreciate that that is not the case outside the U.S.

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  31. Chuckling over your comment, “don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out”. Hoping 2017 brings you all sorts of wonderful adventures!

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  32. Beautiful doors, Joanne, but I’d really love to see the inside of the refurbished church. I can imagine it only as stunning. Happy 2017 to you! May it be eventful in a good, healthy, happy and productive way!

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  34. Gorgeous photos as always, Joanne!
    Just yesterday, I wondered why my eyes (and camera) are drawn to old buildings. Your words captured a thought that hadn’t crossed my mind – resilience. Certainly a word worthy of 2016.
    Happy New Year to you and your family – so glad our paths crossed 🙂

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    • Happy New Year to you and your family as well. I’ve enjoyed following your adventures here and on Instagram and I’m looking forward to more in 2017 🙂

      When I was conceptualizing this post, my thoughts kept going to Aleppo. In addition to this being a massive human tragedy in progress, the devastation of one of the oldest cities in the world is heartbreaking. So much history is being reduced to rubble.
      Yes – we are all going to need a healthy helping of resilience in the months ahead.

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  35. A few years ago, we watched a show on New Year’s traditions around the world. Our ears perked up and stomachs growled with delight when the host mentioned that eating chocolate on New Year’s Eve will improve one’s “luck” in the New Year.

    Chocolate? Yes, please.

    We have an ample supply of chocolate at the ready . . . which we plan to inhale before heading out to fireworks on the beach.

    We’ll eat more on our return.
    Just for good measure.

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  36. What great energy these homes must have!!! When we lived in Pittsburgh we knew someone who lived in a home that once was a firehouse. I never had the opportunity to visit him there but imagine it to be unique. These are great photos, Joanne, especially the red house…my favorite! Happy New Year to you.

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    • I have a fascination with repurposed buildings. I think a converted schoolhouse, church, firehouse would all make for an interesting and unique home … especially if the firehouse still has its fireman pole 😉

      Happy New Year and best wishes!

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  38. Joanne, I like your sentiments about reinventing ourselves and moving forward into the new. I also enjoyed the shots, whether more about buildings or doors. Enjoy these last few days of 2016 and then let’s move on into 2017 with high hearts and hopes.

    janet

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  40. I like how the first building is tucked away into the pretty scenery, and then the one on route to Creemore is totally exposed. I hope 2017 is better to you. I’m a little fearful for what will happen to our country in 2017. My personal goal will be to stay healthy.

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