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Every house has its own soundtrack.

In mine, there is the ambient noise of dogs running on hardwoods and the back door opening and closing. Someone is always coming in or going out.

Piano sonatas and music on the stereo fill the corners. The muffled sounds of the television or someone having a phone conversation are there if you listen.

Growing up, I lived in a house that was serenaded by a tall oak Mission style grandfather clock. The clock stood by the front door and ticked steadily for many years. Each hour the chimes rang out and one felt very grown up when allowed to pull the heavy brass weights up to keep the clock running.

At night, I fell asleep to the sound of the big clock. It was the first thing I heard each morning.

Even now, it’s hard to think about my grandparents without hearing the clock ticking and counting the hours in the background.

If I could reach back and bring one thing forward to my life now, one inanimate object that represented the sweetest memories of my childhood, it would be that clock.

This week in Home

Modern homes are all about modern technology. Wireless connections, microwave cooking and green design – concepts that not so long ago were the stuff of fantasy – are ordinary stuff.

This week’s cover feature is about a man who calls the clock the first technology and has filled his home with the sound of ticking and chiming. Nat Williams’ love affair with clocks is a wonderful story, and we’ve even got a link to a multimedia feature about him.

It’s lilac season in Spokane.

Amy Klamper brings us the story of a woman who was there for the first Lilac Parade in 1938 and who is still involved in the celebration. And gardening columnist, Pat Munts, gives readers advice for getting the most out of lilacs in the garden.

This week’s issue is full of good advice, good stories and good neighbors.

Welcome!