Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The roof



June 16

The roof is almost on. We are now able to keep the plate dry in the rain that comes every couple of days. After tomorrow we hope to begin to put on the wood sheeting on the second floor walls. That will entail installing the first windows on the building and should provide a hint at what the finished structure might look like. (With the roofing in place the third floor attic looks a bit like an Indian teepee.)
The days are becoming hot and humid and we should be able to work inside in the shade once the roof is complete. There is still so much to get done before the weather changes in the fall that the mind becomes numb contemplating it all. Overall the shape and size of the building is pleasing to the eye. In order to install the electrical hub at the back of the house we will have to complete a small portion of the stone facing. It will be interesting to see how that changes the appearance of the house as a whole. Jim

I told Jim that I have nothing to say. What is there to say? There is morning cool and work. There is afternoon heat and work. There is evening shade and dreams of more work. I cannot look too far forward or I may become overwhelmed. I cannot look backward for that is a pit where no salvation may be found. I look down at hammer, nail, board, and am work. Sam

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Roof rafters



June 1

Last week we began work on the roof structure of the octagon. We hired Nick to help out and Dave, back from the north, helped for three mornings. All but 9 rafters on a single side are now in place and we are nailing up the first rows of roof boards in hopes of keeping the incessant rain off of the plate. It has been a lot of long hours and days. I tell Sam that when he is my age he’ll wonder how I’ve managed to keep up the pace. If the weather cooperates we should have a dry work place in a couple of weeks. The wood structure was tough, especially with 48 jack rafters to cut with a handsaw, but it looks good and the final height and shape of the finished house is now visible.  Jim