Hang Your Hat

"Hang Your Hat" by artist Lisa Rae Winant

Image used by permission of the artist

37 x 10 / oil on panel

From the outside it may not look like much, but it is home, she thought to herself. It was a long trip and she was relieved to be home for the first time in over two weeks. Even though her feet were throbbing, covered with blisters from her work shoes and it seemed like every joint in her body felt as if they were ready to give out and her body would collapse underneath her, she just stood and admired her home.

Sure, it was not the mansion she imagined herself in, but it is better than nothing. Besides, this home has gotten her through some really though times. It has always kept her warm when the bitter crisp air of winter nights struck. Staring at her home from the edge of the road, she wondered if this would be her home for the rest of her life. It seems like no matter how hard she works, it seems she just can not save for a bigger place.

She imagined what it would be like to smell something other than dirt and mothballs. What it would feel like on her toes to touch hardwood floors instead of the scratchy mismatched area rugs scattered over the cement floor. What it would be like to breathe in crisp fresh air of the country instead of the smoggy air of the crowded city.

Does she really need a bigger place? Sure it would make entertaining much easier, but she is all alone in this cozy house, and she spent more time working than she did at home. She smiled again with relief. Even though the roof leaked when it rained, and occasionally the door came unhinged, it was a place to hang her hat, and that was all she really wanted.