Christopher sent in the fabulous story about Nora (right) and her time capsule house (our most popular story in October and added to my list of top-10 all-time favorites.) I received this note from him yesterday:
Pam,Francisco and I were so excited to see the post about Nora’s kitchen and bathroom. The response was amazing. ”You mean there are people out there who like my old wall oven? It’s a relic,” Nora told us. The warm words of encouragement and appreciation really made Nora’s day. All her friends and family have been directed to your website. Last night Nora sat down and composed the following letter for your readers:
.“I’m Nora and I am so overwhelmed by all your beautiful compliments. I feel ordinary, but after reading your kind words I feel special to be recognized by all you beautiful people. Thank you all so much. I love you and appreciate all your compliments. You gave one lonely, old lady a purpose to go on.Thank you,Nora”
How wonderful to hear from Nora! We love you back, Nora! And thank you, Christopher and Francisco, for introducing us, and for following up with Nora. You two get the good karma award of the month.
Nora-you and your house are beautiful!!! I vote that Nora should be a guest speaker at a RetroRenovation Conference….is there such a Conference? There should be so we could all meet in person
I was thinking the same thing, Cindy — Nora could be our keynote speaker. Ummm, no conference scheduled yet. Maybe in 2011?
I am in!
Me three!!!!!!!
Me four!
And me five! I think it would be great if Nora made regular appearances on the blog, too…She seems like such a marvellous, delightful lady!
Wish you were closer to Utah so I could be there
Very sweet, and once again, she looks fabulous…love the pearl choker and black and white graphic on her top.
She’s so lovely and gracious. Not “ordinary” in any way.
Man that’s messed up – “You gave one lonely, old lady a purpose to go on”.
NORA! It’s people like you that lovers of history look up to, because you were THERE when we were not! It’s one thing to read history books, and another to learn as much as possible from those who lived through the era that we love.
My neighbor is 91, and the original owner of her 1954 ranch. I get as much info as possible from her for my restoration of my ’54 ranch. Thank you for keeping your home the way it is, it’s a great source for reference!
I’m no spring chicken – I’m 41, and lived through the ’70s, etc…but I wasnt around for the post war – ’64 era….That’s been my interest and lifestyle since I was a kid.
I hope I will have as much style and grace as Nora when I grow up!
Perhaps Christopher and Francisco could do Nora’s oral history. I’m sure her memories of our favorite era would be fascinating.
Nora, there is absolutely nothing ordinary about you: so much sparkle in your eyes!
I have to add: This woman has single-handedly got me wearing makeup again. She looks better in these photos that I do most days for sure!
LOL…see, you are channeling your inner 50s/60s goddess on all levels. No self-respecting woman of the era was seen in public without makeup, right? Well, except maybe at Woodstock…
There were no self-respecting women at Woodstock…that I’ve ever seen in videos, anyway!
LOL ! Good one Shane.
I must concur with everyone, Nora is simply lovely and I’m most grateful and happy to see someone preserve those home details that everyone seems so quick to ‘rip out’ these days. We need to keep the spirit of our past alive for furture generations! Rock on Nora!
I must agree that Nora looks wonderful! She is someone to aspire to! I should be so lucky to look and act like Nora – in not too many years from now!!!
How lovely you are, Nora, and how sweet of you to respond. Love you!
Nora, I promise if you lived in my town you would never be lonely as I would be at your house every day admiring your lovely home and your lovely spirt. Wouldn’t mind poking around in your jewelry box with you either! You’re a one of kind, Nora – never, ever forget that!
Nora, you and your house are both utterly charming! The post on you and your home made my day the first time around, and now my delight has increased a hundred times over knowing that we could return the favor and cheer you up a little, too. Looking at your pink home is like putting on a pair of rose-colored glasses to look at the world with. Thank you.
Nora, you’re like a fairy godmother for us retro fans! So beautiful and like a jewel in your adorable home. I’m so thankful to you for being willing to share it with us. Hugs to you, and a pink champagne toast in your honor!
What a beautiful person inside and out! Love you Nora!!
Now if only I could introduce her to my 93 yr old widowed dad! Oh wait, maybe she already has a husband. Well, anyway, she is a beautiful person, inside and out!
Wow. It’s inspiring to see how Nora takes such good care of herself and her home. Thanks again, Christopher and Francisco, for introducing us to Nora. And thank you, Pam, for including my Gardenside neighborhood post in your top ten. What a nice surprise. (Back when that post first appeared, I went by Sumac Sue because I had transplanted some sumac to our suburban yard from our former home in the country. Big mistake. I wasn’t thinking about how fast the sumac can spread. So, I got rid of the plant and the nickname.)
We aren’t crazy about our house, in part because the former owner was not as loving with it as Nora is with hers. Way too many DIY projects around here. But, we love our neighborhood. We keep living here because a frustrating house in a great neighborhood seems better than a great house in a frustrating neighborhood.
It’s great when fantastic homes have fantastic homeowners!
May God bless you and your family, Nora!
One very classy Lady with a very classic home!
Wow! That is so sweet that she wrote in. She looks amazing in this photo, too. Just look at her gorgeous skin. If everyone took care of themselves and their belongings and homes the way Nora does, our whole society/culture would be so much better off. She’s not ordinary at all, she’s extraordinary.
How sweet of Nora. She looks amazing and much younger than her age. I hope she has access to a computer and can join in (I always read the comments). Recently at the Goodwill I found a pink tin kitchen canister for sugar with a copper lid…I was so excited. I only wish I had the complete set, but it looks cute on my frig holding treats. I can see Nora’s cool copper ones in her kitchen…these items always bring back memories of warm, happy kitchens and it is what I try to recreate.
Nora –
You’re a beautiful, classy lady and you should be very proud of your home.
Sending lots of love your way…
–Brian
When Nora is done with her house, I think she should auction it off here on Retro Reno. I don’t care where it is located as I am retired and can move anywhere. I’d want to buy her mid century furniture, too. I know I would not be the only bidder and I have an idea that she would get top price as her fan club here would not think “old outdated” as the normal real estate market would. My 50 year old house has been modernized and would cost more than it is worth to (is down date the opposite of up date?) down date it. Living there would make me feel young again. like stepping back in time to when I was a kid in my parents mid-century. Where else can you find that feeling for sale?
“Lonely old lady?” You’ve got to be kidding! You could be my neighbor any time, but fresh-baked cookies would have to be part of the deal!
My daughter’s name is Nora. Hope she has this Nora’s spirit when she is her age. I think she will. My Nora has a vision and style that’s all her own, just like this sweet lady does. A special name for special women.