Summer 2021
I did nothing summer 2020 because I didn't want to be commuting during the pandemic in my Subi w/240K miles. This summer I was working on my "Pandemic Project" in town. In June I finally started going up the mountain to continue finishing elements but then there was no gasoline in our town.
Since then I have had a hard time getting momentum again. The road needs woodchips to prevent erosion. My old GMC pickup doesn't want to haul sand. I don't really relish a lot of the problems I have to solve like getting huge windows in... I'll need help. I also have to wait for cooler weather to re-plaster exterior from hail damage.
But I did manage to get the loft built & half of the ceiling up. I think it looks good.
Since then I have had a hard time getting momentum again. The road needs woodchips to prevent erosion. My old GMC pickup doesn't want to haul sand. I don't really relish a lot of the problems I have to solve like getting huge windows in... I'll need help. I also have to wait for cooler weather to re-plaster exterior from hail damage.
But I did manage to get the loft built & half of the ceiling up. I think it looks good.
Mid-September
I've been working on the solarium in town but I think I'll finally get back up on the mountain.
Today, Sept. 16 was perfect weather. I'd disturbed wasps in the storage shed day before yesterday & they decided to work on re-homing in the building. no no! I had enough homemade bug spray to shoo them away then I lit a citronella candle. A bug spray bottle in my back pocket all day was reinforcement.
so... I'd decided to remove a rockboard from the ceiling so continuous bamboo can be put up on the north half yet to be completed. I'll replace it with tin over the rocket stove feed which will be much lighter & can be put on top of (below) bamboo.
But how to unscrew a 25 lb. slab from the ceiling without injury?
I managed by making a support for it from below with boards screwed in an upside-down "U" then securing the support w/rope from 4 sides. After I removed all the screws from rockboard I used a long piece of wood to knock the support out from under it while I stood safely away.
I also got scaffolding set up very nicely for working on the rest of the ceiling, too.
Ms. Frida (pooch) wanted to come & I wanted to take her. She is awesome up there! I got a mountain dog! Her mother Elle is useless, she just wants to chase bunnies & get in trouble.
I'm looking forward to getting back into the rhythm I so love up there at my own pace betwixt & between meadow & forest, for a few weeks at least before it gets too cold, perhaps into November.
Today, Sept. 16 was perfect weather. I'd disturbed wasps in the storage shed day before yesterday & they decided to work on re-homing in the building. no no! I had enough homemade bug spray to shoo them away then I lit a citronella candle. A bug spray bottle in my back pocket all day was reinforcement.
so... I'd decided to remove a rockboard from the ceiling so continuous bamboo can be put up on the north half yet to be completed. I'll replace it with tin over the rocket stove feed which will be much lighter & can be put on top of (below) bamboo.
But how to unscrew a 25 lb. slab from the ceiling without injury?
I managed by making a support for it from below with boards screwed in an upside-down "U" then securing the support w/rope from 4 sides. After I removed all the screws from rockboard I used a long piece of wood to knock the support out from under it while I stood safely away.
I also got scaffolding set up very nicely for working on the rest of the ceiling, too.
Ms. Frida (pooch) wanted to come & I wanted to take her. She is awesome up there! I got a mountain dog! Her mother Elle is useless, she just wants to chase bunnies & get in trouble.
I'm looking forward to getting back into the rhythm I so love up there at my own pace betwixt & between meadow & forest, for a few weeks at least before it gets too cold, perhaps into November.