Temperatures outside have been unfit for any creature and I’ve been laid up at home nursing a nasty cold. To entertain myself, I have been poking around in my photo library doing some ‘housekeeping’.
I had hoped to find some hidden gems and a forgotten story to wow you with, but found instead some plain and ordinary doors that had somehow repeatedly dodged my various purges.

The one thing they had in common was that they all reminded me of much warmer days.
I decided to toss them all together into a warm hardy stew of doors – no theme, no stories, just plain doors and gates hoping for a bit of attention.



What’s the sign say on the door, you ask?



Hope you are keeping warm enough through this polar chill …. unless you are in the Southern Hemisphere, and then I hope you are keeping your cool on.
This post is inspired by Thursday Doors, a weekly photo challenge hosted by Norm Frampton at Norm 2.0.
Did all those townhouses have the winged dragon? So cool!
Jude
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They did! Isn’t that cool?! 🙂
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Housekeeping is so very important but I almost never do it – organising used to give me such purpose & satisfaction, but I am just too occupied with baking bagels and happy wandering. But there is some that does need to be done, so I shall have to just schedule time for that!
Hope you are feeling much better by now. And that the sun will shine a little more for you!
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You’ve said it perfectly – there are just too many other interesting things to do!
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Your images warmed me quite a bit (especially love that charming mug in the last photo) as I experience a self-imposed chill in an airconditioned room. I’ve hidden here this morning to avoid the less pleasant swelter aboard Amandla on a mid-February’s day in Cape Town.
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I’ve been known to do that too in the heat and humidity of summer. The heat can start to feel oppressive after a while and leach all your energy. Chill and recharge 🙂
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Weather report from here in Arizona – it dipped down to freezing last night! I know, it sounds ever so pleasant compared to your weather!
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Interestingly – just about the same!! Although to be fair, it’s normal for us at this time of year 😉
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The photos and the title of your post reminds me of a poem by William Carlos Williams:
so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens.
There is so much beauty in the ordinary.
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Thanks Rob. It seems that all the art I’ve been dabbling in lately leans towards a celebration of ordinary 🙂
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Perhaps we need to see the beauty of everyday life to give us a sense of balance, and perhaps a bit of humility.
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Humility is a good choice of word.
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Terrific doors collection, Joanne. Sorry I’m so late.
After the brutal cold of January and how February started, anything that reminds one of warm is most welcome! Great big hug!
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February has a way of doing that to people. Next stop – cabin fever 😏
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Hi Joanne,
Been following the news of the arctic blast you’ve had up north…we were in Costa Rica with my brother and his wife and a couple of their friends from just outside of Detroit and they were so very glad to be missing it!
Wishing warm weather thoughts your way (love the short tavern door…for little people????)
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It seems that some years it is easier for me to handle winter than others and so far I’m weathering winter ok … although by March I’ll likely be a little frayed at the edges 😉
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A good stew, lol! Especially loved that first & fourth one. And that face, what a face. I have never been that close to a horse. Nice shot😊
Pat
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I’m not sure I would ever have reason to get up close and personal with a horse either except that over the years I seem to have developed quite a few relationships with horse owners. They are incredibly photogenic.
… I’m much less fond of being on their back 😉
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You’re right, they are photogenic.😊. I agree with you on riding😊
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I enjoyed this warm hardy stew of doors Joanne. There really must be a story behind that tavern door. 🙂 That horse is gorgeous!
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I’m thinking there has to be a story too … someday I’ll have to ask 😉
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I’m going to tackle the ceiling fans and the corners today, and I just know my housekeeping will not present me with great doors 😉 Good finds, all. It does remind me of warmer days. Very much likey the horsey photos.
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You sound a lot more ambitious than I feel!!
Given the nasty cough I have and the cold temperatures outside, I doubt I will be looking for new doors any time soon!
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You have GOT to get well soon!
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For someone in their sickbed you came up with a great selection, Joanne. Get well soon
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Thanks. Being sick is the pits, but I’ve managed to do a lot of catching up on sitting-down work 😉
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Amazing post!
Follow me here- whenanintrovertspeaks.home.blog
Thank you!
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May the thaw come soon, and open the door to warmer weather. Maybe the groundhog will have good news tomorrow.
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That stupid groundhog can say whatever he wants. Real spring doesn’t arrive in these parts until May 😕
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Terrific collage of doors . . . with a lovely segue to the horse! 😀
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Thank you. The horse was not premeditated and a last minute addition. Turns out, he’s the most popular 🙂
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All doors lovely but the horse will always win. 😀 -30 C? How can that even be?? 😮 Sending you wet 13 degrees C. (Sorry!)
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I’ll take your wet 13C! It sounds perfectly tropical right about now 🙂
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My favourite of your doors are the one of the gate at Swan Lake and the rustic door at Fort York. We have been following the bitter temperatures and are rather relieved to be sweating it out here in tropical India. What a contrast, as it is so hot here, that we cannot go out between the hours of 1 and 4. Sending you a bit of Indian heat to warm these wintry days. Love your stew of doors ~ and looking forward to a stew of windows or any other stew you care to brew.
Peta
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I had heard that once about living in the south where it gets really hot. It’s not much different than being here in the cold – you have to stay indoors as much as possible to escape the temperatures. Personally, I’d rather take the cold – although when the Apocalypse comes, I reserve the right to change my mind 😉
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We have been toasty warm but this weekend we are finally getting our dose of frigid air. Hope you will feel the warmth soon!
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I can’t really complain much. This is pretty well winter in Canada, it’s just that we go into denial every year 😉
I haven’t been outside in several days but I’m going to have to venture out eventually.
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That’s something great about “ordinary” things that often makes them extraordinary. If you know what I mean… 🙂 Great finds!
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Well said! It’s all a matter of how we choose to look at them 🙂
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I cannot imagine anything, let alone people, surviving temperatures of -30C! Well, maybe polar bears can. Please don’t venture outside until the cold snap (how’s that for a euphemism?) is over – I will really miss you when you’re frozen…
Considering that we’re reaching temperatures of 35C+ at this end of the world, isn’t it incredible that we’re living on the same planet!?
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That contradiction from one end of the planet to the other never ceases to amaze me! The difference is that in your winter you don’t get our extreme cold while we get your heat in summer 🙂
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A beauty of a horse, winged-dragon light fixtures, a really cool tavern sign….so sorry you are not feeling well, but I do like the little housekeeping you did. You found some real gems, Joanne. Feel better….
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Thanks Lois – I’m off to see a doctor today. Hopefully feeling better will come soon.
It’s fun to rediscover what treasures were buried in our stockpiles 🙂
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Of course I love the horse and I hope you feel better soon! We’ve been freezing…well, really well below freezing, especially with the wind chill, so any reminders of warmth are welcome. I like the winged dragon, too, and especially that first “door”, a door like mine this week. 🙂
janet
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I thought of you when I decided at the last minute to toss in the last photo. I knew you would appreciate it 🙂
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Thanks. I did.
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Get well soon, my friend! I remember those doors in Cobourg and how much fun we had in the better weather. Hang in there, those days are coming ’round again!
Deb
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I wondered if you would recognize them!
Yes – looking forward to warmer days! 🙂
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Hi, Joanne – I didn’t find your featured doors to be ordinary at all. And they did conjure up much warmth. It is a balmy 7C in our little corner of VI today. Someone in my walking group today actually walked in a sleeveless shirt with no coat, vest or sweater. Even for our mild weather, that’s hardcore!
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I would happily take your 7C – although the truth is I don’t think I could walk to the corner right now without coughing up a lung 😕
I’ll be happy to have this bug behind me!
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This is a great serving of leftover stew. I like the tavern door and I really like the horse !
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That tavern door makes me smile every time I go there … and that stable! I’ve been sitting on those photos for a while. Glad I could finally use them 🙂
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That horse is a beauty! You found some nice stragglers in your files perfect to use on a day like today. Hope you feel better soon 🙂
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Thanks Norm. It’s amazing what one can find while trawling through their library 😉
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Beautiful horse! Irresistible, you are right. Hope you feel better soon.
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Thanks Anabel. Being sick is the pits … although I admit I’ve got a lot of reading, watching movies, and art stuff done 🙂
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Sorry to hear you are sick and I hope you feel better soon Joanne. This is one of the reasons I have such a tough time purging my old photos. I can’t ask my wife because she’s no help (she thinks I invented photography) LMAO. I’m curious about the doors, do they give you a free pint if you do the Limbo while entering the tavern ?
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Hahaha! I have no idea what that door is for but I sure hope it’s not an entrance – although I suspect the going in would be a lot easier than going out 😉
I try to be diligent about cleaning out my photo files but I think they reproduce on their own when I’m not watching 😉
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Hahaha
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Nothing ordinary about those doors, Joanne. 🙂 And the horse is a beauty. Rest up!
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Thanks Diana. I can’t say I’ve been doing much of anything the past few days. Rest is good 😷
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I’m sorry to hear you are sick Joanne. Hope you feel better very soon — and that you get some respite from the weather soon too. Lovely collection of photos; the tavern sign particularly made me smile.
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Thanks Su. I can’t remember the last time I was this sick. I had planned to wait until Monday to see if this cough breaks up over the weekend, but I think I’ve drifted into bronchitis territory now and it’s time to see a doctor 😷
Hopefully I’ll start to feel better soon.
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Glad you’re seeing your doctor; good call.
I know how easy it is to persuade ourselves that “tomorrow it will be better” only to find we’re getting sicker.
Kia Kaha my friend.
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I’ve had a couple of bad bouts with bronchitis in the past so I know now not to let it go too long. Is it just me, or does it seem that once you get something, you are more easily prone to it recurring?
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I think that’s generally true — unfortunately.
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I enjoyed this, especially the picture of the horse! Smiles always help one feel warm so thanks. Hope your cold goes away!
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I admit I’m a little afraid of horses, but they sure are photogenic! Looking forward to some warmer temperatures this weekend 🙂
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They can be a little scary but yes they are so beautiful!!
Yay on warmer temps!
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The horse was a nice touch! Hope you are feeling better.
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hehehe – the horse was purely for eye candy 😉
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🙂
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I discovered I had a thing for doors and gates a few years ago when I looked around my home at the art. Doors featured prominently. They must mean something to me–I think they are symbolic of new possibilities. I’m sorry to hear you’re sick–take it easy! And be glad the coyotes were shy the day you were roaming–they’ve killed several dogs in my area. It’s mating season and they’ve been traveling in packs.
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I’ve only ever seen solo coyotes, but I’ve heard they are quite dangerous in a pack -especially if you have a small animal with you.
I too have a fascination with doors and gates. They are literally portals from one place to another and they always beg the question – what’s on the other side? 🙂
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I’ve had that nasty cold; hope it doesn’t hold on for too long! Love the double gate at Swan Lake. With the exception of the padlock on the gate, it looks very inviting!
Feel better!
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It does look inviting! I remember that day very well. It’s funny how a photograph can take us back to relive a moment like that.
I think I’m going to have to see a doctor soon. I’m afraid this cough is developing into bronchitis and no one has time for that!
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Crap, that sucks. Mine hung on for about 3 weeks before it finally let go!
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3 weeks!! That definitely sucks.
I am on antibiotics now and feel well enough today to attempt an indoor spin on my bike. Progress – I hope.
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The combination of the red brick, the green-blue door and the cute mailbox is a pleasing combi! Sorry, it’s the wind that makes it feel sooo cold! (I remember from Holland). Stay warm!
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The winds have definitely been punishing the past several days. I feel sorry for anyone who has to work outdoors in these temperatures.
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I like the door on 146. The trim and door painted the same color seems serene to me. Inviting, even.
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I agree with you Ally. I thought the colour looked very striking, especially with the black wrought-iron fencing in front of the building (which of course you can’t see)
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I’m thinking and worried that you’ll keep warm and safe. Hope this frigging temp will not last long. Definitely, these pictures warm me up.
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I’m definitely toasty warm … until the chills set in … and then I’m toasty warm again
This nasty cough I have is really miserable and the only good news is that I haven’t been outside to experience the frigid temperatures.
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Hope you feel better! I love your good, hardy door stew. No Polar Vortex here, but it is a little chilly today so I think I’ll stay inside too.
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I’m finally feeling better enough today to attempt an indoor spin on my bike. Hope it ends well 😏
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You can never go wrong with posting a picture of a horse! Hope you feel better soon and that the polar vortex moves back to the North Pole where it belongs….
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They are very photogenic, aren’t they? 🙂
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