As long as we are in interlude mode, here's a song about alternative housing, and the hassles that can get you into:

By Charlie Ipcar © 1992
Tune: theme song from Beverly Hillbillies'

Key: F (C/5)
Treehouse

C---------------G
Ben built a house, high up in a tree,
--------------------C
Ben built a house for everyone to see;
-----------------------F
It had cedar shingles and a plywood floor,
G------------------------G7---- C
Three small windows and a big front door.


Ben built a house for all his friends to share,
They'd play all day, high up in the air;
The birds and squirrels were very surprised to see
Three little kids hanging out in a tree.

But the next door neighbor shook his head and swore,
"The City's gonna hear about this big eyesore!"
Inspector Rowe came by, and a letter soon was sent;
You know, Ben hadn't filed for a building permit.

"You can't build a treehouse without central heat,
A bathroom, a kitchen, or a bedroom suite;
The codes are quite specific," said Inspector Rowe;
"A building is a building, and this one's got to go!"

Now Ben and his family don't know what to do,
Some friends urge compliance, some urge them to sue;
When you're only seven it's so hard to understand,
Why a treehouse in everyone's front yard isn't part of the City's master plan!

I'm happy to report that Ben won his battle with the City and the neighbor, and his treehouse still graces the family lot.

Happy trails,
Charley Noble