Out here in West Texas, we think something’s old if it’s, say, more than forty years old.*

Other parts of the world use a slightly different scale to gauge what’s “old.” This place was built in the 17th Century; it’s called Lodge Park. The photo is a detail of some architectural elements on the second floor balcony. (If only I’d paid more attention to architectural history, I could tell you what they are called. I think of them as “those flute-y deals” but I am almost positive that’s not the actual, correct name.)

Lodge Park, near Cheltenham, UK

photographed 10.2007

* Hey, wait a minute! I just called myself old. I wonder if I meant to do that?