Thank you for "telling it like it is/was, Margot." I grew up in one of those "piles," large and wandering, with lofty ceilings , rooms that had not been used in decades, yet still completely furnished, etc. Chests filled with folded clothing (incluing beribboned broad-brimmed Victorian straw hats) of long dead family members. It seems that NOTHING was ever thrown away! Massive furniture basically of the Victorian era with carved animal feet, arm terminals, etc. To this day I heartily dislike Victorian furnishings. (My family only lived in the few rooms needed and/or comfortable. ) Certain other rooms were opened only on Sundays for visiting friends/family. I can still remember the smell of the wool carpets when the rooms were "aired-out" before company's arrival, along with the usual caveats: "no hands in pockets, speak when spoken to, stand until asked/told to sit," etc . Heating was a nightmare and air conditioning non-existant, except for wonderful cross-ventilatiom, when the huge windows were opened. Costs of upkeep could be enormous, especially the roof repairs and plumbing. Thank God, my mother (my father died when I was rather young) had the assistance of tenants on our properties that helped in day-to-day activities. Sounds like eons ago, but it really is not that far removed. I think those who dream of such past times, would have another thought if they looked and LIVED "behind the scenes!" On the other hand, for a child, the ability to "explore and plunder" was tremendous and hide-and-seek had opportunities galore! And, yes, we did have our family "ghosts,' who were more a source of puzzlement to me than fright, though I never tired of relating such to friends who visited and spent the night. AP
