Thoroughly enjoyed this, Mark!
Loved the part about sitting outside in the summer because the house was hot. My best friend’s family, with whom I spent most of my summertime hours, had a second, smaller kitchen in their basement. That’s where summer meals were prepared. So much cooler. And, my friend and I often slept on their huge back porch. Two little girls sleeping on an unlocked porch to escape the heat. Never a worry. Certainly couldn’t do that now.
Different people, different times.