As the sun shone bright above, we began digging about the perimeter of the Brunn house. Working to expose what remained of a foundation on the old house. Our shovel sliced into the ground and pound after pounds of earth were moved aside, the century old undercarriage of the home was exposed to the light. What we had seen crawling on our bellies in the damp darkness was finally visible. A certain lack of structure made the realization even more true. This old home is perched upon a mash of various items. On one end we could see an old tree trunk holding the entire weight of a corner. On the other a stack of old planks holding the other corner. It surprises that the house was able to remain erect for a century. As we continued to dig around, an old cistern was found. A box created of field stones to store clean water was just inches from the back porch. With a house so close to the sea, a well would have been useless, filled with muddy saltwater that would poison those who tried to sustain themselves from it.

Later the house will be lifted with machines that would be unimaginable to those living here before the industrial revolution. For they have never known about electricity, automobiles, and indoor plumbing. However, the crane and jacks will lift the house in the air, long enough to pour a modern foundation made of concrete. This foundation is not only a physical addition, but also emotionally relieves us of doubts about this house’s future. It will literally be cemented into existence, essentially keeping it alive forever.