This Old House.....The Reality Show

I think everyone on the blog has been to my home some more recently than others but still the image is there, and if asked to describe it no matter how distant the memory unanamously the first word would be "old". I could embroider on that description but someone might read this to a small child. Let me just say at times its a challenge living with that old world charm. Throughout the 20 years we have lived here I have genuinely loved the environment, old house and all. I have done more improvements and repairs than I could begin to count. Some have been very rewarding and provided a great sense of accomplishment, others have been things you don't even want to remember (mostly things having to do with sewage) still they have instilled a sense of pride few could appreciate. A few weeks ago I was contacted by a Historic Property Consultant who claimed to be researching historic homes in the county and would like to see my home and offer some insight on remodeling and improvments focusing on the historic nature of my home. In return for that wild ride he would provide me with a free appraisal and a sales pitch for his real estate firm. Fair enough I thought lets see what he thinks and I can show off my handi work to someone who can really appreciate it. The guy was nice enought at the start of the meeting we extranged pleasantries and he told a few stories of old homes and history in the area. Then the tour started it was downhill from there. From my decidedly 70s decore (thats 1970s) to the post ww2 woodwork he spread his insults evenly throughout the entire house. When he saw the new porch and deck I recently installed his final comment was That I have "poisoned" the historic posture of a potentally fine historic home. Further more any more improvements I am considering I should show more "reverance" to history. Comming from a historian of such prominance I suppose I should listen more open mindedly but he was really getting to me. I took it all in without much comment and accepted his critique with a smile on my face. Obviously more historian than salesman his efforts to list my house fell short. Even if I was selling he would not be getting the call for listing. After all that I still can't help wondering what Norm Abrams would have done.