Considering the condition of the hinges and other mechanisms and the debris we're finding jammed against the edges, we figure these haven't been tended to AT ALL in at least 20 years.

They looked so lovely, it's not until you get right up in there that you realize the horrors.

We've found a mummified mousse behind a hinge. We've found a mummified bird below a bottom sill. We've found tiddlywinks. We've removed enough dirt to start another garden. We've had glazing fall off into our hands. We've seen enough stuff that shouldn't be in a window frame to permanently change our souls.

These had the mummies in their mechanisms.

Well done, cleaning all that! I should do mine... In the spring. It's too cold now. But I am certain to find a gazillion dead ladybugs.

StereoNacht: I pray you only find ladybugs!

My house is recent. I might find some spiders, but no rodents. Those are in my walls.