Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters

Salinger's title, coming as it does from Sappho and referring to a bridegroom, in no way fits the construction of a house.  However, not only do I like the title, it also allows me to demonstrate a degree of eruditeness worthy of an English major.   So, Dan and Dane and Bob:  Raise High the Roof Beams. 

I'm fascinated that the front wheels are 6 inches off the ground.

 

Uncle Dane:  a face with character

Tieing on a truss, prior to raising it.

Moving it into place, a joint venture between Dane and the lift operator on the truck.  Directions called out by Dan and Bob.

Almost ready to be lowered.

Down...

Down.....

Inches away...

Truss now in place for Bob to secure  on one end....

Dan working on the other end....

The supervisor....

Raise high the roof beams day was warm, sunny, cheerful, and the wood was simply beautiful.

 

The shadows and sun and patterns ...

Roof beams raised high and final logs installed...

  Beautiful

A Tacky Quilt

Quilt:   a noun, a coverlet, or a verb, to stitch together said coverlet.  From: 1250–1300; Middle English quilte  < Old French cuilte  < Latin culcita  mattress, cushion.  

"No, I won't store that box of your t-shirts from highschool, but I will make a quilt from them."  Why I made such a rash statement is beyond me.  I'm totally fumble fingers.  I cannot sew a straight line to save my life.  If I had to depend on myself to make my own clothes, I'd look like the before picture of Eliza Doolittle.   But, I promised.  


The T-shirts belong to Chantal.  As you view the following photos, note the head slowing, slowly .... very very slowing peeking above the quilt.  

 

It isn't quite that bad, sweetie....

Not sure whether she's laughing or crying....

Under the tutelage of Cousin Suzanne, I "tacked" this quilt.  That's those red things that look a bit like worms.  Suzanne is a true quilter; she does what I call "real quilting" the kind with tiny, even stitches, dainty, delicate stitches, baby eyelash stitches.  Not red worm tacking.  However, in my defense, T-shirts material is hateful to work with.  It rolls around, rolls under, stretches....  And of course, I'm the gang that can't cut straight.  If you look closely where the purple and black squares join... a little zig when I should have zagged.  Oh well......

The Latin origin of quilt is appropriate for this creation, as several of the squares are from Chantal's years as a member of the Norman North Latin Club. 

 

So: Semper Ubi Sub Ubi

Four Walls

Unlike Jim Reeve's Four Walls, mine are opening up to the world.

Unfortunately, I missed the actual unloading of the logs.

Look a bit like coffins.

Seeing my name was a bit daunting.  Oh my goodness.  This house building thing is for real!

Ah yes.  The presentation of the bill.

Have to get the arty sunset scene with view.

The crew:  Dan, Dane, and the boys.

Dane and Bob, who's finished another job and come to help out with this one.

Dan the Mountain Man.

The logs are heavy, but the boys could lift the smaller ones.

Doors

By Carl Sandburg

 

An open door says, “Come in.”

A shut door says, “Who are you?”

Shadows and ghosts go through shut doors.

If a door is shut and you want it shut,

     why open it?

If a door is open and you want it open,

     why shut it?

Doors forget but only doors know what it is

     doors forget.

 My doors will always be open to you.

Some sort of tape filled each groove before the next log layer was added.

Perfect job for the kidlets.

Straightening tape while the men hold the next log for setting.

Beautiful fit.  The logs are measured and cut according to a  computer.  Turman might not appreciate the analogy, but these logs mesh as smoothly as tinker toys.  Here they abut the porch and a side.

That white stuff on the subflooring is the remnants of snow.  Fortunately, it didn't last.  View is through the windows in the main room, out toward High Knob.  When I first realized that we could see High Knob, I actually teared up.  Daddy would like it.

Not quite sure where these nails went...but not in my shoe.

Uncle Dane and Dan the Man.

Each log was numbered.  I know that 1 means the front and then the other numbers refer to the layer.

Kidlets were not reluctant to work.

Dane, Bob, and Dan the Man working as long as the light lasted.

Kidlet with the chicken leg played peek-a-boo with the camera. 

Ready for the roof.