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 

 

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

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).

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

August 15, 2015.

Welcome to the home of Winds & Paradox Incorporated, Merrill Wisconsin!

 

The Matthias Building

 

419 West Main Street in Merrill, Wisconsin
*The second stage of renovation in progress:  Tuckpointing the exterior finished brick, including re-mortar and recasting for replacement of sill stones.



 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014.
Oh, if walls could only talk;  if bricks could whisper and if only we could decipher time's messages captured in starlight.  If only.
And what if a year could tell tales?  What if a year such as 2014 could be summarized as one would hear a State of the Union address?  What would this year in the universe represent?  To all of us?
To me?
I have written here my life and the Matthias Building.  I am lying if I say it is only a building.  It is not.  Not to me.

2014.
What possible words could I conjure to paint the picture and what possible message would I wish to send?  What possibly could I wish to make anyone understand?  What would it matter anyway?  I tell you what.  My path has been a testimony to something greater than oneself.  I have never ever messed up, screwed up, rejoiced, fallen, dusted myself off, and risen so much as I have this past year.  I have done the most unbelievable things.  (Some I do not wish to own up to, to tell you the truth).  I have been stupid.  I have been wise.

I have learned.

And.....I probably have not learned sufficiently because I have a sneaky suspicion that my 'oops' moments are not a thing of the past.  But dear God, I would not change one moment.  Please note:  Would not wish to relive the exact stupidest moments either (yeah, I know).

In 2014 I began a business.  In 2014 I bought a building I love.  In 2014.....  In 2014 I spoke in front of city officials.  In 2014 I gave my first and hopefully only interview.

In 2014 I checked on a building almost daily.  In 2014 I scraped windows late at night.

In 2014 I fell flat on my face.  Many times.  Many, many times.

But I learned two big lessons among many, from this building.  (Did I mention this building I love is three floors in total, seven thousand square feet each floor for a total future taxable commercial entity of twenty-one thousand square feet?).  The first lesson was personal:  When you love something, when you are passionate-out-of-your-mind-don't-want-to-die-without-knowing,....well, I give it my all, in a case such as that.  I take pictures, daydream and do many foolish things.

And then.....Then, a person might just come up with a viable business plan, a proposal, and decide to fight for that vision.  Finally, a person might also just realize...a) a few people might wish to see you make it (jump up and click your heels - no, I am serious), b) a few people might not wish to see you make it (in such cases - see (a)...except.....jump up twice as high and show them and yourself that you can not only click your heels, but, because you have to anyway, you can not only click your heels, but glaze windows at the same time, thank you very much.

Most of all a person might realize that she falls in love with her dream over and over.  It's a good thing too because the path is long and without a map.  But I have heard those are the best kind of trips.

2014?  Thank you.  (I know...where is the second lesson?  There isn't a second.  There is only one....)

From this horrible photo, (photo quality doesn't matter - the outline caught my eye) when the snow fell, accumulating to a degree on the roof which outlined in white against the dark blue night sky, I saw what might be the look of the new roof.  I think it will be fine...

Happy New Year.  "Thank you" just does not seem to even come close to the gratitude I feel...

Love,
Stephanie at the Matthias Building

And, sometimes, I find life immensely satisfying as I look west, imagining - sometimes working at the same time, but thanking God for....huge sidewalks next to the most handsome building....ever...

December 25, 2014
Merry Christmas!
~ from the Matthias Building and I.

Monday, December 8, 2014.
A wise friend once told me, "Christmas comes.". Yes indeed.  The Christmas season is upon us... at the Matthias Building.
Love and Blessings,
Stephanie