Here we go!!
Love and Blessings from Winds & Paradox Incorporated, Merrill Wisconsin!
Stephanie Springborn
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Ready? Ready.
May 6, 2016
It's not always glamorous, with a little of this and a little of that! I found myself on an adventure of a day including the business of business, hauling garbage and recyclables to the landfill, and a combination of sights only found in Wisconsin!
Ready? Winds & Paradox Incorporated, 419 West Main Street, Merrill, Wisconsin is indeed ready.
Thank you!
Stephanie
#mywisconsin #renovation #art #recycleplease #womeninbusiness #wisconsinhistory #architecture
Ready? Winds & Paradox Incorporated, 419 West Main Street, Merrill, Wisconsin is indeed ready.
Thank you!
Stephanie
#mywisconsin #renovation #art #recycleplease #womeninbusiness #wisconsinhistory #architecture
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
April 19, 2016
Hello from Winds & Paradox Incorporated! Thank you for journeying along as I document my company's progress!
The blessing of starting an entrepreneurship with my buildings is the opportunity to develop with them; I make mistakes, I have successes but neither stops the progress!
In 2015 Winds & Paradox grew from an idea to an entity, both with buildings located in Merrill, Wisconsin and with a presence online here, in Google Blogger, a home website www.windsandparadox.com (www.windsandparadox.net), a Facebook page of the same name and dabblings into Instagram and Pinterest. By photographs, the company:
The Matthias Building at 419 West Main Street
Went from this:
First view of old roof. 2014
The northwest corner of the inside of old roof
Discovery, of what lie underneath the old roof. April 2015. One year ago, this past week, this is what we saw....And then the transformation began....
To this:
Repair of parapets.
Removal of old roof - one of my favorite pictures!
New joists - note the pockets in new concrete!
To new decking on the entire roof....
Ta Da! New Roof!
I am grateful...for my dream, Winds & Paradox Incorporated, part of a beautiful journey, ~ Stephanie
The Esther Building at 104 Blaine Street, Merrill Wisconsin
From inside commercial office space, main level:
To this:
The Esther Building....
While the Matthias Building teaches me one lesson of real estate, the Esther Building teaches me others, like changing light bulbs and painting and that the best spot for incorporating my creative interpretation of a Piet Mondrian wall from wood and metals is probably left for another time!
I feel blessed with all of these opportunities as business and as opportunities to create, whether those opportunities present themselves as lighting a display for holidays or as a creation of a viable commercial entity. Winds & Paradox Incorporated is all that.
At Winds & Paradox Incorporated, just as I learn to incorporate these creative pursuits, I am also finding opportunities to grow and develop, just as the buildings themselves. Perhaps combined with the preparation for taxes, I recognize also the time and the necessity to flavor the existing practices with those of the other areas of business such as accounting, just like construction codes and the aesthetics of art. The business and buildings are in the beginning stages - just like I am. What a joyous time to be able to create sound accounting practices from stacks of paper, two buildings, a business and..... a dream.
..............
Welcome.....to Winds & Paradox Incorporated 2016. The third year.
Thank you!
~ Stephanie Springborn
Winds & Paradox Incorporated
419 West Main Street
Merrill, Wisconsin 54452
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
February 24th, 2016
On this second anniversary, all I can say is "Thank you!"
~ Stephanie
 |
| The Matthias Building 2/24/16 |
Monday, February 22, 2016
The "As Is"s...
February 22, 2016
The Matthias Building on paper, from Spring 2015. Part of the planning process is analyzing what you have, even if the plans have ridden too long in a 1995 truck, folded too many times and lay now on the dining room table!
What a great anniversary week!!
Many Blessings to all,
~ Stephanie
#renovation #merrillwisconsin #entrepreneur #womeninbusiness #discoverwisconsin #armory #oldschool #brick
The Matthias Building on paper, from Spring 2015. Part of the planning process is analyzing what you have, even if the plans have ridden too long in a 1995 truck, folded too many times and lay now on the dining room table!
What a great anniversary week!!
Many Blessings to all,
~ Stephanie
Sunday, February 21, 2016
The 21st of February.
Welcome to the Celebration of the Work of a Dream! Thank you! (One of my favorite views of the Matthias Building. Hmmm. Is there a bad view of this building?)
www.windsandparadox.net
Winds & Paradox Incorporated celebrating two years this week!
In joyous gratitude,
Stephanie
#wisconsin #discoverwisconsin #art #architecture #historicalrenovation #1920s #armory #oldschool #womeninbusiness #entrepreneur #merrillwisconsin #madeinamerica
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
The 9th of February, 2016.
Early February 2016 in northcentral Wisconsin brought the first blizzard of the season. But what was predicted to be a foot or so, really only brought six to eight inches. Enough snow, for certain and short of the forecast, but enough of a reminder of what winter can be. After the Hanukkah display of lights, the white Christmas tree inside on the Main Street second floor side, the lit branches on the garage door, and the ever lit branches on the alley South side second floor, I kept daydreaming of what to do next.
Winters are long - especially at this time of year when it seems to be twice as long - I kept wondering what to do next. Of course I imagined moving and pulsing heart lights which, when it is freezing outside, even if I had the technical knowledge to do so, might prove a bit 'nippy' working (to say the least).
My creation? A huge red LED lit heart among the holiday branches! Once I got it in my head, I just kept imagining how beautiful it would look... think of it....a Wisconsin blizzard, a 'white-out'.... but through the blinding snow a person would see....
The warmth of a big red heart.
The temporary plywood garage doors are the perfect place to share whatever notions of creativity I might dream up.... I create a bit, I am planning for the coming season for both the business of Winds & Paradox Incorporated and the Matthias Building, and I am writing again.
Perhaps the best lesson I have learned is that a building such as this, with his path and my own to restoration can both stand dignified with its mighty brick walls and eighty foot steel girders yet smile with delight at a six foot juicy red heart.
Enjoy!!!
(But mostly, thank you...)
Stephanie,
at the Matthias Building,
419 West Main Street
Merrill, Wisconsin
Winds & Paradox Incorporated
Early February 2016 in northcentral Wisconsin brought the first blizzard of the season. But what was predicted to be a foot or so, really only brought six to eight inches. Enough snow, for certain and short of the forecast, but enough of a reminder of what winter can be. After the Hanukkah display of lights, the white Christmas tree inside on the Main Street second floor side, the lit branches on the garage door, and the ever lit branches on the alley South side second floor, I kept daydreaming of what to do next.
Winters are long - especially at this time of year when it seems to be twice as long - I kept wondering what to do next. Of course I imagined moving and pulsing heart lights which, when it is freezing outside, even if I had the technical knowledge to do so, might prove a bit 'nippy' working (to say the least).
My creation? A huge red LED lit heart among the holiday branches! Once I got it in my head, I just kept imagining how beautiful it would look... think of it....a Wisconsin blizzard, a 'white-out'.... but through the blinding snow a person would see....
The warmth of a big red heart.
Perhaps the best lesson I have learned is that a building such as this, with his path and my own to restoration can both stand dignified with its mighty brick walls and eighty foot steel girders yet smile with delight at a six foot juicy red heart.
Enjoy!!!
(But mostly, thank you...)
Stephanie,
at the Matthias Building,
419 West Main Street
Merrill, Wisconsin
Winds & Paradox Incorporated
Sunday, January 31, 2016
The 31st of January, 2016.
I might have to change the name of this blog! While the photo is taken at the Matthias Building, 419 West Main Street, these are samples of gloves once made at the Hansen Glove Factory. That building is our second location at 104 Blaine Street in Merrill, Wisconsin. (The Esther Building - a 1914 brick residential / commercial three story).
I am speechless... This photo? This is why.
Thank you!
Stephanie,
Winds & Paradox, Incorporated
I might have to change the name of this blog! While the photo is taken at the Matthias Building, 419 West Main Street, these are samples of gloves once made at the Hansen Glove Factory. That building is our second location at 104 Blaine Street in Merrill, Wisconsin. (The Esther Building - a 1914 brick residential / commercial three story).
I am speechless... This photo? This is why.
Thank you!
Stephanie,
Winds & Paradox, Incorporated
Sunday, January 24, 2016
2016. January 24th.
The Matthias Building. January 2016.
"Steph, do you realize it is the first winter in how many years that there isn't an 'ice skating rink' on the floors?" His words echo still in my head. It is true. The concrete floors are dry and the walls stopped weeping all due to the new roof. I listened for the happy sound of rain water rushing through the roof drains into the storm sewers until the snows finally arrived. I watched as the concrete, although thickly sturdy for decades seemed to be curing only now. No longer, as I walk my usual 'patrol' of the outside walls, did I see water or signs of water flowing out of the building onto its sidewalk outline. No, Matthias finally had dry sidewalk hugging its outer walls.
While the building never had a horrible smell, it has changed. It never smelled of mold but it always had a sad smell about it - a wishing smell of something better. I saved some of the old joists having been stacked on the main level. It is the only remaining old wood, besides door and window framing. To board off the south side window openings, I used some of the lighter slat-type boards only after realizing how heavy true 2 by 10's and 2 by 12's really are. But that is another story!
For the first time too, Matthias has heat but understand, please, what heat really means. In our recent sub-zero weather I maintained twenty degrees and during the warmer part of winter actually kept all levels 36 degrees. I found out quickly how the cold seems to hunt and find every crack. (I also discovered with great glee the wonders of modern technology with gap-filling foams, special caulking and the smorgasbord of insulation).
I worked alone to board the windows on the south, alley side of the building. I don't know why but there are moments with the progress of the building in which I feel that if I do not learn what it has to teach me then somehow I missed the point. Time was running out. Last year we had one of the largest, if not the largest snowfall in early November. The window openings needed to be blocked. I was unsure of finances. I had to do it. So I did. In the first window I still had the misguided notion of using old joists and had no idea I would need to brace. In the second window I dreamed up several schemes to use plastic sheeting and even dreamed of installing a solar panel. (Plastic sheeting times two and insulation won out). But by window three I became used to the twelve foot monster ladder and the feel for balancing ten foot 2 by 4's as I 'framed' as best as I could. By window four I was both panicking for time and inspired by the thought of lighted tree branches for display....
I will only be able to do this once - to board up the windows with lighted displays of inspiration or to paint and light the plywood garage doors. Only one season like this one, the first with electricity and heat yet also in its rough stage of renovation.
I savor the time to enjoy Matthias and, the time to grow with it. As I checked the thermometers and swept, I remembered those words which delicately reminded me of how far the building has come.
You can even hear it in the building: The sharp sound of dry footsteps.
Pleasantries to all of you....
Stephanie
Winds & Paradox Incorporated
The Matthias Building. January 2016.
"Steph, do you realize it is the first winter in how many years that there isn't an 'ice skating rink' on the floors?" His words echo still in my head. It is true. The concrete floors are dry and the walls stopped weeping all due to the new roof. I listened for the happy sound of rain water rushing through the roof drains into the storm sewers until the snows finally arrived. I watched as the concrete, although thickly sturdy for decades seemed to be curing only now. No longer, as I walk my usual 'patrol' of the outside walls, did I see water or signs of water flowing out of the building onto its sidewalk outline. No, Matthias finally had dry sidewalk hugging its outer walls.
While the building never had a horrible smell, it has changed. It never smelled of mold but it always had a sad smell about it - a wishing smell of something better. I saved some of the old joists having been stacked on the main level. It is the only remaining old wood, besides door and window framing. To board off the south side window openings, I used some of the lighter slat-type boards only after realizing how heavy true 2 by 10's and 2 by 12's really are. But that is another story!
For the first time too, Matthias has heat but understand, please, what heat really means. In our recent sub-zero weather I maintained twenty degrees and during the warmer part of winter actually kept all levels 36 degrees. I found out quickly how the cold seems to hunt and find every crack. (I also discovered with great glee the wonders of modern technology with gap-filling foams, special caulking and the smorgasbord of insulation).
 |
| Window 3 |
 |
| Window 4 |
I worked alone to board the windows on the south, alley side of the building. I don't know why but there are moments with the progress of the building in which I feel that if I do not learn what it has to teach me then somehow I missed the point. Time was running out. Last year we had one of the largest, if not the largest snowfall in early November. The window openings needed to be blocked. I was unsure of finances. I had to do it. So I did. In the first window I still had the misguided notion of using old joists and had no idea I would need to brace. In the second window I dreamed up several schemes to use plastic sheeting and even dreamed of installing a solar panel. (Plastic sheeting times two and insulation won out). But by window three I became used to the twelve foot monster ladder and the feel for balancing ten foot 2 by 4's as I 'framed' as best as I could. By window four I was both panicking for time and inspired by the thought of lighted tree branches for display....
I will only be able to do this once - to board up the windows with lighted displays of inspiration or to paint and light the plywood garage doors. Only one season like this one, the first with electricity and heat yet also in its rough stage of renovation.
I savor the time to enjoy Matthias and, the time to grow with it. As I checked the thermometers and swept, I remembered those words which delicately reminded me of how far the building has come.
You can even hear it in the building: The sharp sound of dry footsteps.
Pleasantries to all of you....
Stephanie
Winds & Paradox Incorporated
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