Early this morning, January 8, 2025, while I was sitting in the parlor drinking my tea and reading, I heard a truck pull up in front of Rosslyn. I half noticed, but after a few seconds, aware that the truck, still idling roadside, had not continued on down the road, I lifted my gaze. A well bundled man was unspooling hose from the rear of a heating oil delivery truck to top up our tanks. It was 14° outside and snowy. The wind was whistling, so with windchill, I’m sure the temperature was close to 0°. A wave of gratitude washed over me, and as it ebbed, I remembered a post that I began a few weeks ago titled, Nexus Domesticus, that extended a reflection born in another recent post, Network Hub.
Today’s post was supposed to introduce, albeit in a new way, the cohesive integration that is so often hidden but critical in a home. The inconspicuous connective tissue through which all of the discreet parts are able to communicate, to work together in symphony. (Source: Network Hub)
The previous post was specifically prompted by the Cat-6 network hub in our basement, but I’d originally envisioned it extending to all of the mechanicals quietly, unobtrusively contributing to this environment we call home. Electrical and plumbing systems, heating oil and natural gas systems, the hydronic heating system, and the air handling system, telephone and internet, boiler and hot water heater and tanks and circulators and pumps and circuit boards and manifolds … So much infrastructure serving the whole, critical constituent parts of a living machine.
But that post came up short. And the follow-up post, Nexus Domesticus, that I’d envisioned — reflecting on the often hidden human support network that is even more important than the wires and pipes and switches and pumps — hadn’t happened either.
Until today.
So many men and women make this environment work. The bundled up heating oil, delivery man outside the window, for example. Pam and Glen and Tony monitoring and maintaining the near infinite day-to-day needs of Rosslyn’s four historic buildings; 60+ acres; gardens and orchard; meadows and trail system; ADK Oasis Lakeside and ADK Oasis Highlawn; the Westport Yacht Club; and a menagerie of equipment including tractor, Gators, boats, etc. Sue and Sarah housekeeping, Steve and Cadence lawn mowing, and so many others.
Season after season, year after year Rosslyn’s nexus domesticus evolves like a family, generations of stewards contributing to the health and heritage of this historic home on Merchants Row.
What do you think?