As a former weatherization auditor and for the past year and a half, as a home energy advisor, I have met with many colorful personalities. I take people at face value and give them the benefit of the doubt . . . assuming that what they are telling me is true. With that said, there have been times when my trusting ways have been put to the test. Let me share one client story to demonstrate the point.
Leif, (I won’t use his real name) was a blue eyed, red cheeked, silver haired Swede who lived in an 1880 vintage farmhouse. The homestead was situated on a high hill amidst a burl-oak woods and could have served in a late night, scary movie. I met with the old man to do a home energy advisor assessment, and informed him that I would need to have access to all of the rooms, the attic, and the basement. He said that it would be alright, except for one room. I asked, “What’s the problem with that one room?” He cleared his throat, stood up and made a fine shot into the brass spittoon on the far side of the kitchen, which sang out as pretty as any Chinese gong. Then he said, “You see, we have kind of a family secret, and it is in that room.”
I asked, “Can you explain that a little more – my program rules require that I examine every room.”
“Well, I won’t say that you can’t go into that room, but we keep the door locked. It’s been locked for fifty years.” He pointed with a knurled index finger to the far side of the parlor. “Do you see the big bolt on the door?”
“I see it.”
“Have you ever heard the tales from the old country about the troll that lived under the bridge?”
“I guess that I have – you know – Grimm’s Fairy Tales and such.”
“Well, when my great grand-dad came over from Sweden, he brought along a souvenir from the family farm by Lake Sylvan, and it’s locked in that room.”
“Ah, come on now. Are you saying you have a troll incarcerated in that room?”
“Listen, young fella, you just go and hold your ear against that locked door!”
I did so, and heard a kind of knawing sound, “Something’s chewing on something in that room.”
“Sure enough. Great grand-dad said they have real sharp teeth. Go and look through the key hole.”
I did so, but could see nothing but the late afternoon shadows playing across the big, brass bed. I said to the old man, “I don’t see a thing.”
“Great Grand-Pa said that most often they’re invisible, except by the light of a full moon.”
“So what would happen if I went into the room, to investigate?”
“Well then, if you’re brave enough or foolish enough, go and see for yourself. Have a care, though, the troll may take a shine to you and decide to come and reside at your house.”
I took a breath, threw open the bolt, opened the squeaky, hinge-bound door, and entered therein. I cautiously surveyed the scene, then said, “I don’t see a thing!”
The old man shook his head, rang the gong, and replied, “You will, by the light of the next full moon!”
I admit that I wasted no time in finishing my home assessment tasks, and then I left Leif, his house and his family secret, taking one last glance back in the rear view mirror as I drove down the hill on the winding driveway. Leif was peering out of the partially opened kitchen door. He displayed a most peculiar expression. It was much more than a smile, like maybe he had just accomplished some great feat requiring exceptional skill. And upon sober reflection, maybe he had. One thing for sure – he appeared to me to have captured the essence of complete satisfaction.
Energy tip for August
Use curtains and blinds on your windows. In the summer, close them on hot days. In the winter, open them on sunny days and take advantage of the free heat gain. Remember to use portable fans and the furnace fan before you turn on your air conditioner. Open the windows on cool summer nights and close them early in the morning to keep the cool air working for you.
Tri-CAP August 2016 Blog
By: Stephen Bjorklund
