Forts and Playhouses

There is no number in the universe large enough to account for the number of “forts” and playhouses that have been constructed by these two hands over the years. Well, perhaps that is a small exaggeration but if you count the sheet-partitioned ones in the basement of Gilbert Road in the winter and the cardboard washing machine box creations over the years it gets close to truth.

Cece was the first client of these structures and her childhood domains were mainly of the cardboard box type. The under-the-stairs alcove on Sandridge Road was her first cavern, walls lined with pampers for dolls and whatever use she could conjure up. The inhabitants of this place were mainly of the sawdust-filled variety. Her top bunk bed in San Ardo was next…an improvisation if ever there was one. It also sported the pamper armor belt for protection around the sides. There was one wooden “fort” on Sandridge Road that came out of Dennis Price’s classroom at Sierra School. It was a red, white and blue platform that had a ladder access and was propped up against the fence partitioning off the huge cement water tank/fire reservoir. In no time it sported stuffed animals, a plastic cooking set (courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa) and various artworks by the proprietress. This set-up suffered from the elements, though, and was never a primary residence.
It was also prone to fatherly sneak tickling attacks which were often not appreciated by the home-maker in residence.

Daniel’s get-a-ways were of a more rustic nature. A grape stake enclosure with plywood roof in Davis, created in the perpendicular angle of the backyard fence and covered with creeping vines from next door is the one that I remember best. This of course does not include NUMEROUS cardboard box creations, stacked on top of each other for observation post use and decorated inside with crayoned knobs, gauges and radar screen drawings. As his little sister grew up and shared these spaces (Dan was a good natured landlord) other crayon scrawls of kitties, doggies food and people figures would find themselves in the empty spaces between his artwork. Rain damage was the usual cause of abandonment of these sites.

There was an infamous tree fort built in a mulberry tree in Davis. This large, shady giant was situated by Eighth Street on the southern side of our property. Various spying and underhanded doings (vigorously denied to this day) allegedly occurred there with its tempting proximity to stopped cars at the light in the intersection. “Can you hit that one?” etc. were dares that form the modern allegations of abuse. Cousin Rosa looms large in these and parental figures will probably never know the truth. Under this tree fort was a rectangular structure built to be an early “dollhouse” for Becca and Catherine Curly.

The “crown of creation” of all these forts has to be the only one that is still in existence. Becca’s playhouse in Yakima, was literally built from the ground up as she and Theresa played in it. The contractor, yours truly, was forced to work under stressful conditions as impatient, Gunnysacks- dress wearing, girls made green apple, mud, grass and seedpod pies and other loathsome concoctions that were always forced upon the reluctant builder. Scrounging for used building materials slowed the construction process and was not kindly understood by the future owner. Finally, when the building was done, composition roofed, curtained and painted white did the smiles really appear. Then it was furnished with lavish taste, using old quilts, afghans, pillows and with real electric light pirated from the carport outlet. Teresa Borton, partner in imagination and execution of these play scenarios, bought a beautiful honeysuckle that was planted by the south corner of the playhouse. It went crazy and grew to a lush frenzy over that whole side pf the house.

It is my memory that not too long after its completion it morphed into a “reading room” as a maturing middle schooler kept residence. In later years, driving by the old place, we have seen it sporting a buttercup yellow paint job but outlasting the enormous and ancient poplar trees that once shaded its back. Eternal? Timeless? Only the years will tell. But this contractor hopes one day to again build forts, tree houses and the like for yet another generation of chidlins.

9-3-2010