Authentic Dreams

au·then·tic [aw-then-tik] 1. not false or copied; genuine; real.

I do wonder about our sense of authenticity sometimes. I especially value authenticity in people, and in real estate. An odd combination at first hearing, I know. Allow me to explain.

I love history. I appreciate the authenticity of an old home. I like to see that generations have lived in a home, that a place has a sense of humanity to it. I prefer time-worn. I do appreciate aesthetics, but I prefer an old farmhouse with gouges in the floor to a modern drywall and formica number.

Consequently, I value authenticity in people. I prefer a lack of nonsense. As the definition above explains, I prefer my human cohorts "not false or copied."

An aquaintance recently dreamed, "What I really want to do is buy a little house in the country and enjoy the peace and quiet." This is a recurring theme from this person. I countered with, "You could buy a house or cabin in our area for $20k if you just wanted something cheap. You have money saved. You could probably pay cash." (They declined.)



One enormous burst of authenticity led to Dubious Other and I purchasing our wreck of a house in the Adirondacks. There were many reactions when we purchased said disaster. Some friends were shocked. Some thought we had made a horrible mistake. Some were actually a little angry and didn't want to hear about it. And others were proud of us. They thought it was fun. They, like us, saw it as an adventure. They thought it was awesome that we took a ridiculous leap.

It's fun to participate in the rundown-house-in-the-mountains myth. It was a crazy step. We were out of our minds to buy this place. But we liked it. It was what we wanted, and we're pretty fond of ridiculous, crazy adventures. I think people could do with a lot more crazy adventures. Everyone should take on something completely impossible every so often.

I suspect these are also serious fixer-uppers. However, for those that might be in a particularly adventurous mood ...

In the Chateaugay area, a two bedroom 718 sf cottage home (built in 1948) is listed at $15k - MLS #128164. Also in the Chateaugay area, a two story, three bedroom 900 sf home (built in 1946) is listed at $19,900 - MLS #128164. And in the Malone area, a 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 story fixer upper (on three acres) is listed at $21,900. Carpe diem, my friends!