Breaking and Entering

I often dream about houses in which I've lived. These houses, scattered across the United States, and Scotland for a time, have the annoying habit of adding hidden rooms I'd never discovered while actually occupying the place. I access the rooms and secret gardens by crawling through windows covered by large ugly oil paintings or crawling over a fence and dropping into forgotten orchards. Once there I kick into Scooby Doo mode and examine the place, mostly finding rooms untouched since the 1930-1940s according to the magazines and style of furniture. There is never anyone there but not a speck of dust mars the surface of the furniture, eighty years later.

At first I was annoyed by the dreams but now feel like I'm on a quest. I have no clue as to why the rooms were abandoned nor my compulsion to climb through small openings to get in. I don't take anything or leave a note...

Next time I'm raiding the refrigerator.  ;)

For my next short story, I'm going to use one of the houses as a base for the protagonist to get herself into trouble. I've been in this one quite a few times so going over the steps to break into my subconscious should be a snap. Now all that's left to do is discover who she'll meet on the other side of that painting.

So what's your take on the reoccurring dream? Past life? OCD and dusting? Pure escapism via fences and hidden windows?



8 comments:

  1. VirtualWordsmithFebruary 22, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    I had a recurring dream for a while about a house I've never been in. It had never ending rooms, and rooms that were just weird. When my life was feeling good, it was fun to explore. When life was rough, the dream would take a decidedly darker turn and the house would feel creepy and haunted.

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  2. weeghostiesFebruary 22, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    I wonder what houses and stress have in common? Perhaps it's my guilt about not dusting enough. ;)

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  3. FiFebruary 23, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    Great post and what a wonderful image too.

    I've recently found you and have awarded you the 'One Lovely Blog Award' - http://fionajphillips.blogspot.com/2011/02/ive-won-award.html

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  4. Melanie HooyengaFebruary 24, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    Hmm... I used to have a lot of recurring dreams, but not as many lately. I tend to dream about my high school campus, but there are always buildings and rooms that didn't exist. Maybe there are things in the past we're trying to change?

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  5. weeghostiesFebruary 24, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Thank you, Fi!

    Mel, good thought. A "choose your own adventure" dream?

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  6. June KraminFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Love the pic & the post. Can't help you on the dream - just enjoy it & look for inspiration!

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  7. William KendallFebruary 28, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    Hmmm, let's see. I have a recurring dream about being in a massive cave at a bonfire surrounded by knights, trolls, dragons, and all manner of beasts, and we're all singing Take Me Out To The Ballgame. I wonder what that means...

    Good post, and lovely image.

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  8. weeghostiesFebruary 28, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    It means you need more fiber in your diet.

    You're welcome. ;)

    Actually, I'd love a dream about trolls. I've got the nasty things on the brain (and goblins) lately!

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