Each year at this point in time we get a letter from innkeeper/client friends in New Hampshire. It includes innkeeper Scott’s end of year musings. His reflections are both poignant and very funny. I would love to share excerpts from the letter. Innkeepers will find some familiarity with all of these selections.
“Each December I sit and reflect on what the year has brought, and what lies ahead. Each year I marvel at the enormity of it -all the experiences, all the adventures, all the memories. We may feel comfortable in the conventional measure of a year in units of time, but how do we measure the value of the moments that passed? And how many moments do we experience in a year? Despite the discomfort of immeasurable elasticity, moments are full of meaning. They form our memories, and they stay with us. So, here’s hoping we may share joyous moments!
We continue to enjoy our new lives as innkeepers, now with 3 solid years behind us. It’s never a dull moment, whether we’re chatting with guests or upgrading the facility. We never know what each new day will bring, and we seem to constantly be learning new things. For instance:
Did you ever wonder where the water will go when your Jacuzzi on the third floor starts to leak from one of the jets behind the wall? We now know the answer. It seems that Dr. Seuss had apprenticed as a plumber in the early 1900’s at our Inn. The water travels across multiple rooms and ends up exiting directly over the guest sleeping in Room #4. We know this as the diagnosis required complete removal of two other bathrooms to trace it back to the source. Of course, there was no access panel. Apparently, they had yet to be invented.
Did you ever wonder how many candelabras would be required to set off the fire alarms during a busy summer dinner? We did when our guest shipped us 24 candelabras for their private dinner of 18 guest, each holding 8 candles a piece. Set up was fun for this one!
Have you ever stood at a window looking out at a gorgeous view and asked yourself if it were real or not? We had a similar experience when one of our guest claimed they could not see the lake or mountains from room #2, as we stood there, looking at the lake and the mountains. It’s strange how certain situations induce a complete loss for words.
I see a lake…and a mountain!
Did you ever wonder what was the useful life expectancy of a cast iron waste line that was installed in the early 1800’s? The answer is no more than 3 years after you purchase the Inn. Unfortunately, the corollary question of why they would install it in a wall, behind and industrial refrigerator and ice machine, must go unanswered. The dismantling of bathrooms in rooms 7, 5 and 9 left little time for further pondering.
It seems there are lessons for innkeepers in every discipline form Sociology to Darwinism. But the truth is, it’s inspiring to meet so many great folks from all walks of life, and to see them enjoying the experience we have to offer. Plus, there are tractors, and tools, and projects!”
Scott and Jen
The Inn at Pleasant Lake, NH
“We wish you many magical moments in the coming year that will fill your lives with joy and happiness.”
Thank you Scott, for your musing and these final heart felt sentiments. Ditto and…
Thanks for Listening,
Janet Wolf (and Scott)
