"The House That Bung Built"

Before Christmas, while trying to confirm the pronunciation of "Marit", I thought about "The House That Bung Built".

Bung did not actually build the house with his own hands, but no one could deny that it was his house, conceived and executed with all the loving care and skill of any dedicated craftsman.

Soon after the firm had completed a substantial  project  for the University of New Mexico, Bung (sometimes known as Edward O. Holien) felt he could swing the "dream house".

His daughter Sigtid Marit Holien, was now married, and her younger brother Tommy was still living at home.  A smaller house could suffice for Bung, his wife "Prebbie", and Tommy.

Assuming that it would take at least a year to sell his "old" residence at a favorable price, he listed it with a realtor, and it sold immediately.  That put the new place into "emergency" status. which led to a number of anecdotal consequences, which will not be detailed.

To make what could be a long story tolerable,  I will report only that Bung spent many an hour at the drawing board and the place virtually across the street, which was being designed and built simultaneously.  He had a very understanding and tolerant contractor.

After the numbers, which included some commissioned artistic craftsmanship were all assembled, Bung announced, "My house cost TWENTY DOLLARS a square foot!"  We all thought it quite exorbitant, but it was 1962, long before Nixon-Friedman Dollars, which were as yet not imagined.

Bung passed on after only five years, which left "Prebbie" (Louise Predle Holien) and Tommy in the house, and after that, only Tommy, then Tommy and his wife Elaine, until they relocated in Florida, and Siggie and her husband John Marlow occupied The House That Bung Built.

Since Siggie's passing in 2015, John continued in the cozy, durable masterpiece.
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