The Porch is Happening!

Things are moving along very well now. Randy (Chamberlain) and his helper, Curt, waited out the rain and arrived yesterday to start work. There were odds and ends that had to be done before the actual building could start - like the boiler vent getting changed to exhaust into the existing chimney flue (Whoopee!!!) something I've wanted ever since the Boderus boiler was installed some 10 or more years ago. I actually realized the difference last night when I had the bedroom windows both open wide and there was no odor coming in - also, I don't seem to hear it like I did before. I'm not sure what that's about, but Rob Lawson made the change yesterday morning while I was in Berlin getting my eye shots. By the end of the day, they had the foundation work pretty much finished, and today they are putting on the floor joists. I'll post more photos as they move ahead.

I volunteered to put the polyurethane finish on the cedar lumber for the porch, and that went very well.  I wasn't able to do much until my vision improved around 1 o'clock, which was sooner than usual. My eyes were dilated and very light sensitive, and usually there is  discomfort from the antiseptic Dr. Kim uses. His assistant apparently did a really good job rinsing my eyes before I left, because I didn't have much burning or stinging at all this time.

I'm back at the painting today - finishing up the 2 x 4s and will start on the 4 x 4s this afternoon. It's a mindless job, but that's ok. I have plenty to think about that isn't very important! I even dusted off my old radio/recorder/tape deck I used to use years ago when I was recording interviews for feature stories. It still works, and I might have to get out some old tapes to see if they still work! I have copies of son, Bob's first tape recording, "Man in A Hurry" that dates back to the 1980s, I'm guessing. I also have a bunch of other stuff on tapes. Nobody plays those anymore, I'm sure, but it might be fun to hear some of those again. I was amazed that Curt was a fan of the TANK band back in the day. He plays drums, as a hobby now, apparently, but says he remembers the band well and also knew about BB and the Phantom Band, that was Bob after the TANK days. Pretty cool.

Kate Chatot contacted me yesterday saying that Paige and Peter Crosby and Louis Cassani did the touch-up painting at the Joe's Pond pavilion recently and she said it looks really nice. Of course, having the woodwork nicely painted makes the old, worn and grungy side curtains look even worse. However, those are going to be replaced, so won't be an issue for much longer. If anyone is over in that area, perhaps walking on the trail, perhaps you could snap a photo and send it to me to post here. I'm not likely to get over to take a picture myself for a while - I want to stick to my job here so I can keep ahead of they guys and have the lumber stained and ready for them when they need it. 

Today is so hot and humid, it's difficult to make myself go out there and work - and I'm actually in the shade. Randy and Curt are working in the blazing sun and most of the time there is little or no breeze. They are hot, but the basement is nice and cool, and they are able to take shelter there when they need to.

Ben Ackermann stopped by this morning to see how the job is coming along. He gave me an update on beginning his work, and it will now be sometime mid to late August. He is a busy guy and also, the weather plays a big part in when he will begin digging my pond. I know Ben will get here as soon as he possibly can - he's really reliable, and I trust him to know when or when not to dig!

Now I may go out and put a second coat on that last batch of 2 x 4s. It would be good to get them done before lunch.