by Robert Leedy
watercolor on Arches 140 lb. Rough paper
15 1/2” x 11 1/2”

framed.

It was common to keep a little distance between the kitchen and the main residence in homes of the 18th & 19th centuries. The reason is quite simple: fire. With no fire station down the road, a blaze is usually the property owner's responsibility.

I cannot help thinking about the long walk in the middle of the night to get a glass of water in the kitchen. But wait a minute: A container of water was probably taken to bed to avoid that long walk. Now, I think there were also other containers of liquid in the bedroom. One must be doubly careful when grabbing the correct container in the middle of the night. This is more reason to appreciate indoor plumbing and refrigeration which would arrive later.