i'm contemplating going out this morning to find the ruins of emily proctor's house to take some pictures. i haven't been there in years, but the structure's been creeping into my mind over the past few days. the first time i found it was with my friend megan (i wonder what she's up to now) when i was probably a sophomore in high school. we veered off the sidewalk onto a small, unkempt path by the train bridge and nimbly climbed over loose stones until we saw a slight clearing in the weeds and branches to our right.

i remember the sensation of entering another world. all that remains of the mansion is a massive stone staircase that bends and meanders its ways to what would have been the front door of the house. behind the masking of the trees, the air was cooler and slightly damper than "outside", and individual rays of light danced over the grass and stone. i stood on the steps and imagined what it must have been like when the house was standing, recreating the building in my mind and feeling like scarlet o'hara or cinderella at the ball.

i went back a few other times, but i haven't been there in years. i tried going back a couple summers ago, but i couldn't find the space in the trees, and i didn't want to risk the potential of poison ivy. but i'm thinking now that if i tried going in the way that we came out--the tiny side road just off the main street--i should be able to get to it. i want to see if it's how i remember (which i'm sure it isn't, at least not entirely, but whatever), and also to get some shots of it. i think they could come out quite well.

i'm waiting to hear back from joann about moving back to school early for training/working (as i've done the past two years). depending on what my parents are doing, i might be making a trip up there tuesday or wednesday (i have to bring sylvia back to the library so mike doesn't shoot me). it's either that or a trip down to massachusetts to visit family. maybe i'd be able to swing a visit with my second family as well--note to self: get in touch with michelle.