Door knobs at 717 are symbols of mystery and magic and the possibility of great discovery. Every time I visited, I would try to open at least one door and see what was hidden behind. And every time I visited, I would discover something new. Old hats, mink stoles, gloves, handkerchiefs, tablecloths, ancient cameras and family photographs, lace tatted by my great grandmother and long black dresses covered in black lace, dolls played with my mother and her old diaries (which mysteriously disappeared soon after I found them) calling cards, purses, and the list goes on. Once I discovered a pair of button up boots and an old parasol. I was enthralled with novels written about girls wearing boots and using parasols and holding these items in my hand made those characters come alive. It was a magical moment and my favorite discovery. The last time I visited, I discovered a whole new door! (The one leading to the basement for those in the know) Apparently it had been covered up by a poster, this whole time there had been a whole closet I had never searched. By the time I discovered it the closet had already been emptied, but just the knowledge that it was there and I never knew about it felt magical enough. I carefully photographed its doorknob and posted it above.
Next week, I will go one last time to 717. I will look one last time behind these doors. Perhaps I will discover something knew, perhaps I will just remember all that I have discovered in the past. Or perhaps, I will just figure out how to take the whole doorknob with me!
